Liverpool will use Martin Zubimendi to FINALLY land player they've wanted for YEARS

Martin Zubimendi was the only midfield name in the frame for Liverpool last summer.

When the 25-year-old rejected the Reds - after the club met his €60 million Real Sociedad release clause - it was decided to face the season with no midfield reinforcements.

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Links to Zubimendi have not gone away, with reports that the Merseysiders could be back, but according to reports in Spain, he is likely to play his football elsewhere in the future.

According to Relevo, Zubimendi rejected interest from Liverpool and Manchester City because he prefers to wait for Real Madrid. It is a club the Spain international ‘loves’ according to the publication and that admiration is reciprocated.

Real are still looking for a long-term successor to Toni Kroos in midfield with Zubimendi high up on their list. And the Spanish capital club may well have a secret weapon in the chase for Zubimendi.

Alonso and Zubimendi to be united at Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso coached the midfielder during his days at Real Sociedad B and is said to be desperate to reunite with him sometime in the future.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s position under threat - and Madrid reported to be keen on replacing the Italian in 2025 or 2026 - Alonso has been earmarked as Madrid’s preferred coaching choice.

Alonso and Zubimendi, two Basques, also share an agent with Madrid now preparing to reunite the duo at the Bernabeu. However, in order to facilitate his arrival, midfielders will have to leave Madrid.

Aurelien Tchouameni has been put forward as an option to leave with a separate report in Fichajes suggesting the Reds have ALREADY tabled a €50m offer for the Frenchman. That would be made up of €35m now and €15m next season.

Tchouameni back on Liverpool radar?

Those reports sound fanciful given Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes’ priority is renewals for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah this January.

But Tchouameni is a midfielder Liverpool have looked at before, losing out on his signature to Real back in 2022. A Zubimendi arrival at Real Madrid would be bitter to Liverpool - who were determined to add him to the ranks - but signing Tchouameni might cushion the blow.

For their part, Sociedad are already setting up Jon Gorrotxategi as Zubimendi’s midfield replacement although they would like to keep him until 2026. He is on loan from La Real at Mirandes and expected back at the club next summer.

Whether he will have a season alongside Zubimendi before his ultimate departure remains to be seen.

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