Liverpool scouts ‘impressed’ by midfielder as potential alternative to Martin Zubimendi surfaces

Liverpool are still looking to strengthen their midfield and have been monitoring alternatives to Martin Zubimendi, with FC Porto’s Nico Gonzalez reportedly impressing the club’s scouts.

The Liverpool scouting team is said to be highly impressed with a potential midfield target as an alternative to Zubimendi ahead of the January transfer window.

Liverpool made an effort to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer, but the player decided to stay. Reflecting on his decision, Zubimendi said: “It was an uncomfortable time for me but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay.”

He continued, “I don’t believe in ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunities. If you’re good and want to achieve something, it will come to you. There’s no need to rush. I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club’s project. I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take.”

Zubimendi added, “It wasn’t that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me – and that was staying.”

Liverpool’s midfield has been crucial to their impressive form this season, with Ryan Gravenberch performing exceptionally well, while both Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have also stood out. Dominik Szoboszlai was instrumental in their dominant 6-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday, putting Liverpool comfortably at the top of the Premier League, four points clear with a game in hand heading into Christmas.

Nico Gonzalez

Anfield Watch has reported that Liverpool are still considering possible signings, with Zubimendi remaining a target. However, he’s not the only midfielder being considered, as Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto has also caught the club’s attention.

The 22-year-old Spain international, who joined Porto last summer for £7m, is a product of Barcelona’s academy. He had an enormous £830m (€1bn) release clause in his contract at Barcelona. Barcelona also have a buy-back clause for Gonzalez, active until June 2025, valued at just £24m.

Gonzalez has scored five goals and registered five assists in 24 appearances for Porto, with reports indicating that Liverpool’s scouts have been highly impressed by his performances. Offering a more box-to-box style compared to Zubimendi, Gonzalez has a buyout clause in his Porto contract set at £49.8m (€60m), making him similarly priced to Zubimendi, despite being three years younger.

However, Real Sociedad has made it clear that Zubimendi intends to remain at San Sebastian beyond January, despite interest from both Liverpool and Manchester City. Sporting director Roberto Olabe commented, “There is little peace of mind about clauses, but in all this time Martin himself has shown us that above clauses are intentions.”

He added, “Until today we have already seen the behaviour that has been demonstrated, I do not anticipate that we will have any scares in January.”