'Wanted the move': Liverpool 'know' what happened to make Zubimendi reverse his decision to join - journalist

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With under two months to go until the January transfer window opens, Liverpool’s plans are coming into focus.

The Reds chose to do very little during the previous summer window and fans will be hoping for some activity in the New Year as a result.

Whether that happens is likely to depend on if Liverpool see ‘the right player’ becoming available.

Back in the summer, there was little doubt that Liverpool had identified Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad as being such a player.

However, although the Reds believed Zubimendi had given his word to join them, the 25-year-old soon backtracked and stayed with La Real.

And with Liverpool being linked with Zubimendi once again, journalist James Pearce has given his take on the current stance at Anfield.

Liverpool yet to burn Martin Zubimendi bridge

The fact that Liverpool did not pursue an alternative to Zubimendi in the summer left the door open to rumours of a second attempt from Anfield.

Arne Slot and the Liverpool recruitment team clearly felt there was no one else out there who could give what the Spain international could offer.

Ryan Gravenberch has stepped up wonderfully but given that Slot does not fully trust Wataru Endo, a new addition will still be needed at some stage.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher urges Liverpool to go after Martin Zubimendi in January

Asked whether this might yet be Zubimendi during a Q&A with Liverpool fans for The Athletic, Pearce explained his understanding of the situation.

“Liverpool haven't tried to resurrect the Zubimendi deal since it fell through, but I don't get the impression he's burned any bridges,” says the journalist.

“Yes, the player backtracked and opted to stay in August after initially indicating he wanted the move to Anfield to happen, but Liverpool know he came under a lot of pressure from Real Sociedad.”

Real Sociedad suffer ‘surprise’ exit

Although Liverpool fans have – justifiably – been angry with Zubimendi for his U-turn in the summer, you have to feel a little for the player here.

Liverpool are no mugs in the transfer market and it seems fairly certain that they wouldn’t have publicly gone in for Zubimendi unless they’d been given assurances that he was keen on the move.

Ultimately, though, the Euro 2024 winner was put in a difficult position by Real Sociedad who would not let him go with their best wishes.

Since then, Zubimendi has been having a good season with La Real, who have recovered from a poor start to sit eighth in La Liga.

But having beaten Hansi Flick’s rampant Barcelona team at the weekend, the Basque club then suffered a ‘surprise’, with director of football Roberto Olabe set to step aside at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen whether this could have an affect on Zubimendi. But as such a key man at the club, Olabe will have surely played a big part in him staying put last summer. Liverpool still sound keen, if Zubimendi himself remains undeterred, then we can still see this happening.