Why £51m Martin Zubimendi Arsenal transfer is a massive WIN for Liverpool
Martin Zubimendi is edging closer to completing a £51m transfer and it will be a massive win for Liverpool.
The Spaniard was the subject of heavy interest over the course of the summer by the Reds.
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At one point, it seemed like Zubimendi would join Liverpool. However, a last-minute reversal saw Zubimendi make a u-turn and opt to stay at Real Sociedad.
It is moot why Zubimendi made the choice that he did. But it did leave Liverpool short and scrambling a little bit to find an adequate alternative solution for the holding midfield role in Arne Slot's squad.
And now fast forward a few months, Zubimendi looks to be on the brink of completing a £51m transfer.
Why £51m Zubimendi transfer is a win for Liverpool
According to a report by the Daily Mail Arsenal are set to sign Zubimendi in £51m deal.
The first reaction to that for Liverpool supporters might be disappointment. Zubimendi after all has been very sought after and well-liked by a lot of fans of the club.
Him joining a rival will be bitterly disappointing. But it's also a massive victory for Liverpool for two reasons.
First of all, Zubimendi isn't a game changing transfer for Arsenal. The Gunners have priorities elsewhere, notably in attack.
Bringing in a defensive midfielder for such a huge amount of money will not only not help them fix those problems in attack but also takes away a significant chunk of Mikel Arteta's budget to invest into attacking players.
With the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) very strict, this will be good news for Liverpool. It means Arsenal won't be able to make mega signings in attack.
Secondly, Zubimendi joining Arsenal will be a win for Liverpool because it clearly indicates the Reds have moved on from the Spaniard and have found a potentially 'better' alternative solution.
If Liverpool truly wanted to get Zubimendi, they would be in the race to sign him. But there is no mention of fresh or rival interest from Liverpool in the Daily Mail article.
The Reds obviously still need a holding midfielder, but it seems like they are hunting elsewhere and that could prove to be the best possible scenario in the future.
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