Liverpool face Martin Zubimendi humiliation as boss makes transfer admission
Liverpool have already been embarrassed by Spanish ace Martin Zubimendi this window after he snubbed their transfer advances, and a new revelation threatens to rub salt into those wounds
Liverpool are braced for a transfer humiliation as failed target Martin Zubimendi could still leave Real Sociedad this summer, according to his manager.
New Reds boss Arne Slot is yet to make his first signing since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, but that didn't seem to hamstring him and his side during their 2-0 away win at Ipswich in the Dutchman's first Premier League game.
Real Sociedad star Zubimendi had been handpicked as the ideal first recruit, however, as he would've bolstered the club's holding midfield options and challenged Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch for a first-team slot.
Zubimendi was seemingly on his way to Anfield, only to suddenly reject the club's advances outright and leave the Reds swallowing their pride. This embarrassment could now worsen, as the midfielder's head coach revealed Zubimendi could still leave this summer, in spite of his rejection of Slot's team.
"I can't even say Zubimendi will not leave at the last minute," Imanol Alguacil told media after his club's disappointing 2-1 opening loss by Rayo Vallecano, in which the midfielder scored a 98th-minute consolation.
While it has been suggested that the manager's comments should not be taken at face value due to the frustrating nature of the loss, regardless, they paint a potentially humiliating picture of the Reds' transfer dealings.
With a notable move for Anthony Gordon failing to materialise, and Zubimendi's stark rejection, Liverpool have seemingly faced refusal from every target they've approached this summer.
Alguacil took further aim at Slot's team in jest after the Zubimendi ordeal concluded, stating: "For me, the biggest club is Real Sociedad. I imagine that he [Zubimendi] must have thought that, so he has decided to stay.
"There is no doubt that Liverpool is a big club. The fact that he said no to them, even though they put in what they put in, is something to be proud of.
"It means that things are being done well at the club if such powerful clubs come along, and Martin says no. I am holding back, but there is still time until the 30th."
Zubimendi has reportedly rejected advances from Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the last few years and added Slot's side to his repertoire this window. It remains to be seen whether any of these clubs will return for the midfielder in the wake of his manager's comments.
Post-rejection, Slot has revealed that he is relatively content with his squad, despite a lack of recruitment, stating: "I've said many times already that our squad is really strong.
"It's not so easy to find players who can help us or even strengthen the squad. Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come. We go forward with the ones we have."
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