Football Digest: Liverpool ’embarrassed’ by transfer rejections
Liverpool are said to be complicating Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Joao Palhinha due to the Reds’ interest in the Fulham midfielder. And Arsenal could pay the price as the German club may now turn their attention to Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi, who has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp oversaw a summer of midfield evolution as he cashed in on Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, while signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. But it appears the 56-year-old is still hungry for more reinforcements.
According to BILD Sport head of football Christian Falk, Bayern have heard that Liverpool have a concrete interest in Palhinha. The Bundesliga champions don’t have the money to commit to many big transfers and are prioritising signing a new centre-back. So they may turn their back on Palhinha and move on to their next choice Zubimendi.
Zubimendi is said to have a £51.5million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract and has plenty of admirers in La Liga and the Premier League. Arsenal reportedly failed in an attempt to take the Spain international to the Emirates Stadium at the start of the year but reignited their interest in him in October, according to The Mirror.
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Defensive midfielder Zubimendi has spent his whole career at Sociedad and has bagged seven goals and seven assists in 167 appearances for the team. He made his Spain debut two-and-a-half years ago and has gone on to win another three caps over the last three months. And he may have the pick of clubs if he decides to move on next year as Barcelona are also said to be chasing him.
“He is a more physical and faster player than [Sergio] Busquets, who is technically better,” purred Barca manager Xavi in January as he extolled the 24-year-old. “But not only Zubimendi, all of Real Sociedad’s midfield players. Zubimendi is a great footballer.”
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Zubimendi has previously been reluctant to leave the Reale Arena and helped his team finish top of their Champions League group earlier this week following their 0-0 draw with Inter Milan. But he may have a big decision to make regarding his future in the New Year.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will see their prospects of landing a second Premier League title drastically improve if they can tempt Palhinha to Anfield. The 28-year-old Portugal midfielder has starred for Fulham since joining the club in the summer of 2022 and could offer Klopp another dimension, with the Reds already storming to the top of the Premier League table ahead of the latest round of matches.
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