BREAKING NEWS: Huge news has been revealed on Martin Zubimendi’s move to Liverpool this morning.

Liverpool came close to securing a deal for Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, but ultimately fell short. Although they missed out on the Spanish midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch has emerged as a key player for the Reds, showing signs of rejuvenated form and confidence since his arrival. However, even with Gravenberch’s strong performances, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot cannot rely on him for every single match, given the demands of the season and the need for squad rotation.

With that in mind, there remains a real possibility that Liverpool could rekindle their interest in Zubimendi during the upcoming January transfer window. The longer the 25-year-old goes without committing to a new contract with Real Sociedad, the more likely it becomes that other clubs will feel encouraged to make a move. The uncertainty surrounding his future could make the winter window a prime opportunity for Liverpool to try again to bring the talented midfielder to Anfield.

According to Ian Doyle, there is a chance that Liverpool could make another attempt to sign the Spanish international in January, but it all depends on whether Zubimendi himself is open to leaving Real Sociedad. Speaking on the Blood Red podcast, Doyle expressed his belief that Liverpool would be prepared to make a bid if the midfielder indicated a desire to depart.

“If Martin Zubimendi wants to leave Real Sociedad in January, I think Liverpool will try and sign him,” said Doyle, who is the chief Liverpool reporter for the Liverpool Echo. “We know they’ve got the money for him, otherwise they wouldn’t have approached in the first place.”

However, it appears that the chances of Zubimendi changing his mind and opting for a mid-season exit remain slim. Fabrizio Romano has reported that the player does not intend to leave the La Liga club in January, although the situation could potentially be revisited in the summer.

Zubimendi’s current contract with Real Sociedad reportedly includes a £51 million release clause, which is still believed to be in effect. Doyle addressed the matter on the podcast, explaining that there was never any suggestion that the release clause had a deadline, which means it could still be triggered by interested parties.

“I’m not sure what the deal is with his release clause, does it still apply?” Doyle added. “I would assume it would do because there was never any suggestion of a deadline. So, it was just a whole fiddly bit, and Sociedad called his bluff, and he said, ‘I wanna stay.’ The deadline is basically his contract. So if he fancies it, then I think Liverpool quite clearly will go in for him, because they wanted him. As well as Gravenberch and the rest of them have done – they can’t play all the games!”

Any potential move for Zubimendi would require him to be willing to activate his own release clause, indicating a desire to leave Real Sociedad. The club has a strong hold on the player, appealing to his loyalty and affection for his hometown team. For Zubimendi, deciding to pursue a new challenge will take more than just hinting at an interest in leaving; it will require a clear and determined push to take the next step in his career.

If Liverpool does succeed in luring Zubimendi away from La Real, it would add further depth and quality to their midfield options, complementing the likes of Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. The Reds have shown ambition in reshaping their squad with young and talented players, and Zubimendi’s profile as a holding midfielder would fit well with the team’s needs.

Ultimately, while Liverpool missed out on the Spanish midfielder in the summer, the door to a potential transfer remains ajar. The January window could present another opportunity, but it will depend on Zubimendi’s willingness to leave his boyhood club and seek a new challenge in the Premier League. If he does decide to take that step, Liverpool will likely be ready to make their move.