Liverpool are ready to challenge title rivals Arsenal for Martin Zuvimendi. Anfield Watch understands the Reds are willing to pay a €60m release clause to sign the Real Sociedad midfielder. Liverpool plan to go all out and battle the Gunners to sign the Spain international, who is in fine form in La Liga.
Mikel Arteta’s side have long been interested in the 25-year-old and will be busy with offers in the summer. Liverpool’s interest comes amid speculation the club are still in need of a top midfielder. Alexis McAllister, signed for £35m in the summer, has been used as a ‘number 6’ this season. But questions remain about Argentina’s long-term role.
While Jurgen Klopp could be calling Wataru Endo into the heart of the engine room, the Japanese captain turns 31 this month. Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara, who recently returned from a 10-month injury, is expected to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires. Alonso main transmission Zuvimendi’s ability to hold on to the ball and pass it means he is drawing comparisons to the likes of Sergio Busquets, his former Real Sociedad coach and Xabi Alonso, the main contender to replace Klopp at Liverpool this summer.
During his time as coach at Real Sociedad B, Alonso took Zuvimendi under his wing and guided him to his first-team debut in 2020. Asked about the comparison with Alonso, Zuvimendi told The Guardian in 2022: “I’m very happy that he said nice things about me because he’s an idol and a role model for me. “I think the problem is the other way around:
I’ve been asked about him so often that he’s tired of hearing me talk about him. “He’s tired of me telling him how great he is.” Zuvimendi made a total of 174 appearances for Real Sociedad’s first team, scoring seven goals in that time.
