- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Liverpool and Manchester United remain in the market for midfield options this summer and they have both looked at a player who has already rejected a move to England.
Spain’s Euro 2024 success has seen a number of players attract major interest this summer.
Defender Robin Le Normand has already joined Atletico Madrid whilst striker Alvaro Morata has headed to AC Milan.
Dani Olmo is set to join Barcelona and Arsenal hope to snap up Mikel Merino to bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield options.
There could be more to come in the final weeks of the window but one Euro 2024 winner has no plans to make a move this month.
Martin Zubimendi transfer stance
HITC understands Martin Zubimendi has once again become a target for English suitors.
Zubimendi came on at half-time in the Euro 2024 final, replacing the injured Rodri at the break as Spain went on to beat England.
HITC can confirm that intermediaries had been in touch with Zubimendi’s people in the last week about prospective interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, despite the fact he snubbed interest from Arsenal earlier this summer.
Liverpool are considering their options in midfield this summer and Zubimendi is someone who they like, whilst United are looking at alternatives to Manuel Ugarte if a deal can’t be done with Paris Saint-Germain.
The decision now rests with Zubimendi and whether he does want to leave or not.
Real Sociedad are more than happy that Zubimendi will remain, but the one player they expect to leave is his midfield colleague Merino, who continues talks with Arsenal.
Zubimendi praise
25-year-old Zubimendi made just one start at Euro 2024 but equipped himself well in the final against England.
Zubimendi has impressed in La Liga in recent years and even earned enormous praise from Xavi.
The former Barcelona boss hailed Zubimendi as ‘extraordinary’ in May 2023, believing that he would be perfect for Barca.
In quotes published by Fabrizio Romano, Xavi suggested that Zubimendi ‘dominates with and without the ball’.
“I consider Zubimendi as an an extraordinary pivot, top player — he understands the game very well, he dominates with and without the ball,” said Xavi. “Zubimendi plays kind of football that we like here at Barca, it’s our style,” he added.
Kieran Tierney has even hailed Zubimendi as a ‘world class’ player having been his teammate in Spain last season.
Liverpool and Manchester United have shown an interest but the San Sebastian-born midfielder is happy to stay with his hometown club beyond this summer’s deadline.
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