Richard Hughes identifies new Martin Zubimendi ALTERNATIVE

Liverpool narrowly missed out on signing Martin Zubimendi last summer.

The Real Sociedad midfielder was the subject of strong interest from Anfield with sporting director Richard Hughes meeting the club’s €60 million release clause. Ultimately, the Spain Euro 2024 winner ended up remaining with la Real for another season.

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It meant Liverpool were frustrated in their pursuit of a new midfielder and Ryan Gravenberch took over duties in the No.6 position instead. But midfield links haven’t gone away.

Along with renewed links to Zubimendi, another Spaniard in the shape of Nico Gonzalez has also been watched.

Liverpool club staff are said to be enamored with the Porto star and he could well be available next summer for any team matching his €60m release clause.

But now another, even more unlikely, Zubimendi alternative has emerged in the shape of Frenkie de Jong.

Liverpool eye cut-price De Jong deal

The Barcelona midfielder is out of contract in 2026 and if the club don’t find a buyer for him soon then they risk losing him for nothing.

Accordingly, TEAMtalk believes Liverpool maintain a genuine interest in the Netherlands’ star despite his relatively advanced age (27) and his extremely high wage reported to be €19m per season.

It doesn’t appear to be a vintage FSG signing but there is no doubt that De Jong is a well-established performer. Moreover the report claims that Barca would be content to accept €35m for De Jong - a very reasonable up-front fee for a world-class talent.

However it’s also been claimed that De Jong would have to lower his salary in order to get a move to Anfield.

It’s clear Richard Hughes and Arne Slot are plotting incoming transfers for the future although the club’s immediate priority would appear to be sorting out contracts.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract in summer 2025 and FSG have got a job on their hands tying up three new deals before talks commence between those players and other interested clubs.

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