Liverpool get MAJOR update on Zubimendi alternative

Liverpool tried and failed to secure the signing of Martin Zubimendi last summer.

The Reds met the €60 million release clause in the midfielder’s Real Sociedad contract but were ultimately unable to convince the Spain international to make the switch to Anfield.

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Arne Slot opted to use Ryan Gravenberch as his No.6 during the first half of the season and it’s been no exaggeration to say the Dutchman has been a revelation.

But that hasn’t stopped renewed transfer links with Zubimendi for January and beyond along with potential alternatives in the midfield position.

Watch out for Nico Gonzalez

Frenkie de Jong would be one high-cost option with the Barcelona schemer on a mammoth contract.

Another name in the frame is Nico Gonzalez, the Porto dynamo who has blown Liverpool scouts away with his performances this season as Anfield Watch revealed last month.

And another name on the list is that of Samuele Ricci, Torino’s 23-year-old Italy international. Ricci enjoyed a breakout 2024, emerging on the transfer radar of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City among others.

He is a player who has impressed Liverpool staff as revealed by Anfield Watch with the club reportedly encouraged by the fact that his Torino contract only extended until 2026.

Even though his terms only had around two years left to run, Torino valued their midfield prompter at around €60m last summer, but there was potential for that sum to reduce as time ticked by.

Samuele Ricci signs new Torino contract

The Reds would surely have been in the mix in transfer windows upcoming with Ricci’s terms running down but any suitors’ hopes of signing the player have been dealt a significant blow.

Torino shocked the world on Thursday morning by revealing that Ricci had agreed a two-year contract extension, taking his new terms to 2028.

That likely means that Ricci’s value will remain stubbornly high and that Richard Hughes might well have to look elsewhere for his next ‘opportunistic’ transfer.

Where Liverpool turn to next in their midfield chase remains to be seen but keep an eye on Gonzalez if another move for Zubimendi breaks down.

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