Rightly or wrongly, Liverpool are creating something of a narrative for themselves.
First Moises Caicedo, then Romeo Lavia. Now, Martin Zubimendi.
In the space of just 12 months, Liverpool have missed out on three leading midfield targets. A situation which leaves Wataru Endo – a 31-year-old who had a rather mixed first season at Anfield – as Arne Slot’s only senior ‘number six’.
After coming within touching distance of Zubimendi, the ‘amazing’ Spain international opted to stay at his beloved Real Sociedad rather than make a potential £51 million move to the six-time European Champions.
Slot was excited about the prospect of working alongside one of the most technically-gifted deep-lying midfielders in the game.
But, HITC understands, Zubimendi informed the Liverpool chiefs that he would be turning down their offer on Monday, much to the disappointment of new sporting director Richard Hughes who worked extremely hard attempting to get the deal done.
Liverpool miss out on Mathys Angely and Martin Zubimendi
Now, this latest miss is not going to grab quite so many headlines.
But the fact remains that – during a summer in which Liverpool are yet to make even a single new signing – teenage defender Mathys Angely has gone the same way as Zubimendi. The latest target to slip through their fingers.
Foot Mercato reported at the end of July that Liverpool were pursuing Angely.
The teenage defender – a ‘magnificent’ talent with ‘incredible’ reading of the game according to his France youth coach, via WebGirondins – was available for free after the sorry demise of Bordeaux.
Now, the option of ‘doing a Zubimendi’ and staying put was no longer available to Angely. Bordeaux’s relegation to the fourth tier of French football also meant they had to make every single one of their players available for free while terminating their contracts.
Angely did not remain a free-agent for long, however. He joins Bundesliga outfit VFL Wolfsburg, much to the delight of sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz.
“Mathys is a player who can be used flexibly in defence. He’s comfortable in defensive midfield and in every position across the back,” Schindzielorz tells the Wolfsburg website.
“Due to the special circumstances at Bordeaux, an opportunity arose to strike a deal which we didn’t want to miss out on.
We’re very pleased we were able to secure the signing of Mathys despite strong competition, and that he can take the next steps in his development at VfL.”
Frustration grows amongst Anfield faithful
Angely will hope to follow in the footsteps of Maxence Lacroix, another young French centre-half who moved across the border to the Volkswagen Arena.
Lacroix has excelled at Wolfsburg. So much so that his former manager Oliver Glasner appears keen to strike a reunion at Crystal Palace.
HITC understands that Lacroix has been identified as a potential replacement for Marc Guehi should Newcastle United opt to meet Palace’s £65 million asking price. The former Strasbourg ace has less than 12 months left on his deal.
As for Zubimendi, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher did have his reservations. He feels that Slot may benefit more from a classic ball-winner in the centre of the park, rather than a cultured string-puller like Zubimensi.
“Liverpool lack legs and energy,” the 2005 Champions League winner told The Overlap last week. “When they finished last season, it was (Alexis) Mac Allister, Endo and Harvey Elliott as the midfield three. They’ve all got great strengths but none of them can run.
“And when I look at that position, if Liverpool bring someone in and it’s a ‘total footballer’, will it be too similar to Mac Allister in what they sort of used in that position last season?
“(If they do sign this type) you lack that physical presence and energy to protect the back four.”
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