Martin Zubimendi speaks publicly for first time since turning down Liverpool move

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Ryan Gravenberch looks like he may be the answer to Liverpool’s ongoing issue in central midfield.

The Reds have been searching for the right option to slot into their midfield ever since Fabinho started to decline in 2022.

Since then, Liverpool have tried to sign a number of different players, with their search leading them to Martin Zubimendi this summer.

Liverpool believed that Zubimendi had given his word that he was ready to move to Anfield. But after pressure from Real Sociedad, the Spain international performed a dramatic U-turn.

Now confirmed to be staying at his hometown club until January at least, Zubimendi has been speaking to the press for the first time since the saga in August.

Martin Zubimendi speaks out on Liverpool saga

Liverpool fans were certainly frustrated by Zubimendi’s decision to turn them down in favour of staying with Real Sociedad.

Zubimendi looks like an ideal fit for Arne Slot and you can see exactly where he would fit into the Reds’ midfield this season.

Nevertheless, Gravenberch has been a revelation in the position so far, so perhaps in the end everyone will turn out to be a winner. Zubimendi certainly seems to have little regret over rejecting Liverpool anyway.

Although the Reds are never mentioned specifically in his Wednesday interview with Marca, the 25-year-old is asked to describe ‘what is Real Sociedad for Martin Zubimendi?’

READ MORE: Former Liverpool player Luis Garcia appears to take swipe at Martin Zubimendi

“Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I’ve been in there for half my life,” he says. “A lot of what I am is part of Real, it’s my life.”

Pushed on what his friends had said to him since his flirtations with Liverpool and whether they had questioned why he was still with the Spanish club, Zubimendi insisted that he had support from those around him.

“No, no, my friends are clear that whatever I decide, will be the best,” says the Euro 2024 winner. “There is no pressure whatsoever.”

Could Liverpool come back for Martin Zubimendi?

Zubimendi’s decision to leave Liverpool high and dry will continue to have ramifications for the Reds.

It has been claimed that Liverpool will continue to look for a new midfielder moving forward, but if Gravenberch continues doing as well as he is, perhaps that will change.

For the moment, though, it is clear that it was Zubimendi or no one for Liverpool this summer.

With that in mind, and with the Basque still yet to sign a new deal with Real Sociedad, it has been suggested that Liverpool could reignite their interest in Zubimendi in January.

As the midfielder has much more time to think about a potential switch, maybe this will become a real possibility. For now, however, it sounds as though he’s fine with his choices. And, for the record, so are we.