Should Liverpool Still Target Martín Zubimendi? | OneFootball

Martín Zubimendi Still In Liverpool’s Sights?

Everyone that supports Liverpool Football Club has quite rightly been impressed with the early season form of both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, in the red’s central midfield double pivot. Only three games ago (and before the opening day trip to Ipswich Town), there had been concern and a reasonable doubt as to whether the Dutch international, Gravenberch, could operate as some form of hybrid between the No.6 and No.8 positions. One must remember that the 6ft 3inch former Ajax academy graduate, struggled to adapt to even his preferred position last season, therefore, to consider adapting the 22-year-old into a largely unfamiliar two-man midfield, was not at all than justified. The moment is very good, though it must not alter the specific needs for the future.

Following encounters against Ipswich, Brentford, and Manchester United, the reds has produced three wins and seven goals, as part of the perfect beginning for Arne Slot. The formation and characteristics of the on and off ball play, has increased the performance of certain individuals within the group. This upturn in output is allowing for a more potent attack, as well as a more hardened defence. I am delighted that fresh tactical oversight is being driven into this talented stable of assets, which may have grown stale. We witnessed the players as they started to lose their way under the former manager, Jürgen Klopp, with the message perhaps beginning to falter. Regardless of a great start to this campaign and the promise that seems to surrounding the team, the very professional and impressive new Liverpool Head Coach, Arne Slot, still requires one or two pieces to tackle the long season ahead.

Who Should Be the Primary Target…?

Now that the dust has settled on that infamous 2024 summer transfer window, I believe logic may well point to the under-fire Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, returning to Spain in the winter months, following his failed attempt to lure one of its natives this past August. Martín Zubimendi became the latest in a lengthening list of defensive midfielders, who chose to turn down and move to Anfield in the past few seasons. That hurried attempt to secure the services of the Real Sociedad star seemingly startled a player that was initially keen to join the Merseyside regeneration. Due to some Spanish based propaganda to keep the 25-year-old at his hometown club, a reversal in decision was performed by the 11-cap Spain International, as he chose to reject the advances of one of Europe great football institutions. In the aftermath of that disappointing saga, there seems to be the notion that the €60m rated man was the standout target and that secondary options may not be explored, just yet. Though there was some speculation surrounding the likes of Alan Varela and Santiago Hezze, I am now starting to believe that the hunt for the 5ft 11inch deep lying playmaker, Martín Zubimendi, is not quite over yet.

Could Martín Zubimendi to Liverpool be Resurrected…?

In terms of football executives and the need to improve an elite level squad, a professional nature and state of mind must be undertaken in all difficult negotiations. With agents and off pitch operatives swirling around the game like locusts, it is part of the reason why strong leadership is needed away from the training ground, as well as on it. Following a preseason spent assessing his new group of players, there was evidently a list of wants sent from the 45-year-old Dutchman, Arne Slot, to his Director of Football, Richard Hughes. By making another move for the Real Sociedad academy graduate, it would mean that a very bespoke holding midfielder is desired to implement the game of the impressive Head Coach. In the weeks and months that will pass from summer transfer window to winter, there is surely an opportunity for realisation to set in on the player and his family, after turning down the summer advances of the Anfield club. Despite initially being committed to his current employers, the idea of what is occurring at the Merseyside club will surely set in and allow discussions to be carried out between the two clubs and with the players family. Though a solitary week to decide his future may have been too daunting a task at the time, the fact that no new contract has been signed (by the player) may point to something more than just rejection.

The pathway to the next window of change will be interesting and could be one that revives something we all thought dead. If Martín Zubimendi is the man that the reds want, then that is exactly who they should go and get.