Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi, who was thought to be close to a move to Liverpool from Real Sociedad, rejected a proposal from the English club and pledged his loyalty to the Spanish club where he has spent since 2011.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is also said to have held numerous discussions with him to persuade him, presenting him with a medium- to long-term project and showing how much the team wanted him.
He also had an overwhelming advantage in terms of salary and other conditions, and his mind was set on a move to Anfield.
However, La Real coach Imanol Alguacil also pushed hard for him to stay. He appealed to the players’ sentiments by focusing on the land and food they had been familiar with since childhood, and this time the tactic seemed to work.
The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele noted the sudden turnaround and reported that Richard Hughes was angered by the sudden refusal and is unlikely to add new players to the midfield.
“Hughes is said to be angry as he thought Zubimendi had given his word to join the Anfield club. Liverpool have not completely ruled out signing a No 6 this summer but it is now seen as unlikely given the time left in the transfer window and also the club’s desire to not sign players for the sake of it.”
“Liverpool believed Zubimendi had given an unequivocal agreement to join the club. Fans are now asking questions of the Reds hierarchy with Liverpool still the only club in Europe’s top five leagues yet to make a signing this summer.”
Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo are regular candidates, as well as promising youngsters such as Tyler Morton and Stefan Bajcetic. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai are also available to play.
The squad is deep and does not have to be reinforced at all costs. Other attackers and centre-backs are also being looked at, and they may give up on securing a defensive midfielder and turn their attention to other targets.
Will Liverpool be able to push for the best reinforcements in the remaining transfer window?