Liverpool want to sign £51m player who Xabi Alonso already said he loved coaching

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool are already working hard to ensure the club has a seamless transition this summer.

There’s no easy way to part company with a coach who’s been at the helm for almost a decade. But Liverpool are going to have to find a way to make the exit of Jurgen Klopp as clean as possible.

One way of doing that will be to lock down his successor nice and early. If recent reports are to be believed, they’re already trying to do that with Xabi Alonso.

And if even more recent reports end up being true, then the Reds have started doing what they can to make Alonso feel at home with his playing squad. It’s Football Transfers who claim that Liverpool are now actively interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi

The 25-year-old reportedly has a £51m release clause in his contract, which the Reds are said to be prepared to pay.

It’s claimed that Liverpool will have to do battle with Arsenal, who are apparently long-term admirers of Zubimendi. However, this doesn’t appear to be a problem, with the Reds reportedly ready to go ‘all out’ to get the Spaniard.

Liverpool target Zubimendi

In many ways, Liverpool moving to sign Zubimendi would make sense even without Alonso being on board.

The Sociedad academy product is a cultured defensive midfielder who is a natural at sitting, breaking up play and starting attacks.

Although Liverpool have gotten by this season, they could still do with a long-term No.6. Zubimendi would tick a fair few boxes in that regard.

Should Alonso really be the man to replace Klopp though, and this becomes something of a no-brainer.

The former Liverpool No.14 coached Zubimendi while he was still coming through the youth ranks at Sociedad. As quoted by the Irish Mirror, Alonso has already raved about his time working with Zubimendi.

“Martin’s a player all coaches would want,” praised the 42-year-old. “He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.

“He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise the axis. I loved working with him.”

In fairness, Zubimendi sounds like he plays the game a lot like Alonso himself played it. Why would he not be enamoured by that.

As far as transfer links go, you can see why this one is being made. Let’s wait and see how much truth there is to it.