It came as a major shock to Liverpool this week when Martin Zubimendi decided to turn down their offer to play at Anfield. The Reds were willing to activate his €60m release clause, and had offered to far outstrip his wages in Donostia-San Sebastian, but the 25-year-old Euro 2024-winner decided against a move ultimately.
Real Sociedad will hand him a significant new deal this summer off the back of his decision, but Zubimendi’s call did not come down to money, as he still would have earned more at Liverpool. Matteo Moretto has informed Football España that he was excited about the prospect of move to Liverpool, and was interested in moving there.
However where he did have doubts was whether it was time to leave La Real. His boyhood club, where he has come through the system and won the Copa del Rey, Zubimendi was not 100% sure he was ready to move on, but was shocked that Liverpool made such a large play for him. In the end, he informed Liverpool that these were the reasons he decided to stay, and hence why he initially seemed open to a move, but eventually ruled it out.
Zubimendi was already a hero in Gipuzkoa, but will now enjoy a season of fervent support from the local fans, even more so than usual. The Spain international has had multiple chances to leave the club for big opportunities and larger wages, but has decided there are more important things to him, with plenty of his career ahead of him too.
