Liverpool are set to battle Arsenal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zuvimendi this summer.The 25-year-old has been outstanding in a supporting role for the La Liga giants this season, adding a goal threat to his run of four goals and one assist in 22 La Liga appearances. Zouvimendi also played every minute of Real Sociedad’s unbeaten Champions League group stage run which saw Imanol Alguasil’s side progress to the last 16 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sociedad have also struggled to win the Copa del Rey this season, recording a 0-0 draw. Tuesday’s semi-final first leg against Mallorca ended 0-0.Zuvimendi still has three-and-a-half years on his contract at Sociedad, but a move to the Premier League is inevitable for the Spain international, who was part of La Roja’s Nations League-winning squad in 2022/23.
Arsenal have long been considered favorites for Zuvimendi and are said to be open to signing the midfielder in January, but these reports have been highly speculative.Liverpool ‘vie with Arsenal for Martin Zuvimendi’However, the Gunners are said to be big fans of the club’s youth player, but Barcelona, who are still looking for a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets, would also sign him.
Liverpool’s efforts to win the race for Zuvimendi could receive a major boost if Xabi Alonso succeeds Jurgen Klopp as manager, as the Bayer Leverkusen boss worked with his compatriot while coaching at Sociedad.However, according to reports, Arsenal are still expected to make a bid for Zuvimendi, who has eight goals and seven assists in 176 games in all competitions for Sociedad.
Jude Bellingham Liverpool, who were forced to concede defeat to Real Madrid in the competition, face four new faces in midfield this summer with the arrivals of Wataru Endo, Alexis McAllister, Ryan Gravenburch and Dominic Szoboszlay at Anfield.Mc Allister and Endo have often shared top-six spots this season, but Endo, who competed in the Asian Cup with Japan in recent weeks, is a natural fit for the field and has gradually proven his worth to Klopp. . Endo is contracted to Liverpool until 2027 but turns 31 on Friday and is not seen as a long-term investment, while Mac Allister is expected to take on a forward role once new defensive players are brought in. The near future.
Meanwhile, the injured Thiago Alcantara is out of contract this summer and a separate report by Football Insider suggests Liverpool do not expect the 32-year-old to stay. Thiago made his first start in almost 10 months against Arsenal last weekend after missing the first half of the season with a groin injury, but suffered a further hamstring problem despite only playing for a short time at Emirates. from time to time.
It is unclear how long Thiago’s latest concerns will keep him out, but he is expected to miss Saturday’s game against Burnley at Anfield, although Endo is expected to return to the matchday squad following Japan’s exit from the Asian Cup.
