Liverpool come to life in the transfer window with the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who will become Arne Slot's first signing
Liverpool are interested in making Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi their first signing under new manager Arne Slot, talkSPORT understands.
The Reds They have yet to make any first-team signings this summer and are just ten days away from their first Premier League game away to Ipswich Town. Live on talkSPORT.
Slot has arrived as Jurgen Klopp's successor and will hope to make an instant impact at Anfield in the upcoming campaign.
Their efforts could be boosted by the potential signing of Zubimendi, who was previously a transfer target in Arsenal's midfield.
The 25-year-old is a product of Sociedad's youth academy and has a £51million release clause in his current contract, which expires in 2027.
There is confidence that he would be interested in sealing a move to Liverpool in the summer.
Zubimendi has made 188 appearances for Real Sociedad, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in all competitions.
He has won the Copa del Rey and was part of Spain's Euro 2024-winning squad this summer, including appearing as a substitute for Rodri in the 2-1 final win over England.
Should he sign for Liverpool, Zubimendi would apparently arrive as a replacement in midfield for Thiago, who left at the end of last season.
Slot recently spoke on his lack of transfer activity and insisted it is not easy to find the right players to bring to the club, but is believed to have made signing a new No.6 a priority.
“I'm focused on the tour, on how we played, on what we need to improve and what we did well,” said the Dutchman. “As I said, the bar is very high for the new signings because we have a lot of good players.”
“So it's not so easy to first find a player who meets those standards and then (the question is) is he available?
“Then we'll have to come to an agreement with them, so it's not always easy to find a player who can help us, but (sporting director) Richard (Hughes) is working hard on it and we'll see what comes of it.
“My main objective, as I said when I started, was to work with the team and prepare them in the best possible way for the first Premier League game and of course for these games as well, and apart from that he is working on things and keeps me informed all the time, but my main focus is the team here.”
Liverpool's pre-season began with a friendly defeat behind closed doors to Preston, but they have won every game since.
Victories have come against Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United, and two final tests will take place at Anfield on Sunday.
Slot's team will face Sevilla at their emblematic home before playing another match behind closed doors, this time against Las Palmas after the previous match, which will be played in front of an audience.
Liverpool travel to Ipswich on August 17 before subsequent games against Brentford and Manchester United before the first international break of the 2024/25 season.