How Real Sociedad are privately reacting to Liverpool trying to sign Martin Zubimendi

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Liverpool took a small step towards making their first signing of the transfer window on Wednesday.

The Reds had looked all set to do some business following their return to England at the start of this week.

And after it became clear that Liverpool wanted to buy themselves a new holding midfielder, a move for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is now in the works.

That Liverpool are targeting Zubimendi is perhaps not a surprise. The Reds are due to play a more passing game in the midfield under Arne Slot and in truth Zubimendi looks like a perfect fit.

The deal for the 25-year-old may not be an easy one to do, though. A £52m release clause smooths the waters slightly, but this is nothing like a foregone conclusion for the Reds.

Real Sociedad react to Martin Zubimendi approach

Liverpool do like themselves a release clause. As seen in the approaches for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai last year, it helps FSG to get business done quickly.

However, there is a chance that the whole thing would have to be paid to Real Sociedad up front.

This could be a problem for Liverpool. In fact, it is one of two problems Liverpool could face with Zubimendi’s transfer. The other is that the Spain international loves his club. Zubimendi has turned down potential exits in the past because he wanted to stay at Sociedad.

Arsenal are one of the sides to have been burned by that stance, and journalist Graeme Bailey says that after Zubimendi turned the Gunners down, La Real had been under the impression that he was staying put.

“Liverpool have always been about quality over quantity this summer, and there is little doubt that is what Martin Zubimendi is,” Bailey exclusively tells Rousing The Kop.

READ MORE: How Liverpool could line up next season with Martin Zubimendi in midfield

“It was confirmed to me about intermediaries making contact with Zubimendi and Liverpool, and clearly from that, Liverpool have received encouragement to pursue the player.

“Sociedad sources are shocked as following Arsenal’s failure to get him this summer, it was believed he would be staying in San Sebastian but that is not now guaranteed,” he adds.

“Arsenal are an interesting subject here too. It will be fascinating to see if they react to the news that Zubimendi could now be open to a move to England. They and Mikel Arteta previously put a lot of work into Zubimendi earlier in the summer only for him to turn them down.

“If Liverpool can pull this deal off, it would a huge sign of intent from the new regime and would send a massive shot across the bows of one of their biggest Premier League rivals.”

Does Real Sociedad’s reaction matter?

Soceidad’s reaction to Liverpool making an approach for Zubimendi is very telling indeed.

The main take away for us is that the Reds must have known the player’s stance already. They would surely be well aware that he has rejected other clubs in the past.

For Liverpool to push ahead with a potential move anyway says a lot. The Reds are not a club who will waste their time in the transfer market.

They are clearly under some kind of impression that there is a chance Zubimendi will say yes to them. In terms of the transfer itself, this is the beauty of the release clause.

If it is met and Zubimendi wants to join, then it will happen. Sociedad are a top club and Liverpool will treat them with the utmost respect. But there’s little they can do if these ingredients come together.