Liverpool suffer a huge blow in their transfer: Martin Zubimendi makes a decision on his transfer for 51 million pounds
Real Sociedad expect Martin Zubimendi to reject Liverpool's offers, talkSPORT understands.
The midfielder has been a transfer target for Arne Slot, who is looking to make his first signing as Reds manager.
The Spanish side had previously informed Zubimendi that he would have to pay his own £51m release clause.
Liverpool are now understood to be ready to explore other options.
The 25-year-old is a product of the Real Sociedad academy and has a contract until 2027.
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.
Slot is interested in strengthening his midfield this summer, but will now look for alternative targets.
Thiago Alcantara left Liverpool at the end of last season following his decision to retire, while Fabio Carvalho has completed a £27.5m move to Brentford.
As a result, Liverpool are keen to add quality options in the middle of the park.
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.”
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“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 have just a few days to make a move if they want to have their new signings ready before the start of the Premier League season.
The Reds begin their season with a trip to face Ipswich on Saturday lunchtime, a clash which will be broadcast live on talkSPORT.
They then face Brentford and Manchester United before the first international break of the season.
