Man City set to exploit Martin Zubimendi LOOPHOLE that Liverpool COULDN'T

Manchester City are ready to exploit a loophole that Liverpool couldn’t and sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Revolo reports that Manchester City are now hoping to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in January. Zubimendi, of course, publicly rejected Liverpool after having agreed to join the Reds in the summer.

He decided to remain with Sociedad, his boyhood club and where he's played the entirety of his football career. However, City believe they can take advantage of a situation that Liverpool couldn't.

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There's a very obvious loophole here in that while Sociedad don't want to sell the midfielder, he has a release clause in his contract. That's how Liverpool tried to sign him - pay the £52m release clause and Sociedad are out of the picture.

The problem in the summer was that Zubimendi himself wasn't up for the move.

But there's a slight change in the situation this time around. Part of the player staying was down to Sociedad's guarantee of a new contract - they'd make him the club's highest-paid player.

That contract still hasn't happened, though. In fact, reports shortly after the window shut explained that it's become a bit of a problem.

If Zubimendi doesn't sign that contract, his release clause still stands and the promise of a new contract won't hold anywhere near the same sway as it did in the summer.

Man City want Martin Zubimendi

We saw this coming the moment Rodri went down with that injury. City would need a new midfield metronome and there couldn't really be a better replacement than Zubimendi.

He's even his backup for the Spanish national team.

But at the end of the day, all this does is force Liverpool into a decision. They never signed an alternative to Zubimendi and it could well be that he's now up for a move.

On top of that, they also know that this won't come down to money. They know that very, very well, in fact.

The opportunity to beat City to Zubimendi is still there - if Liverpool still see a need for him.