Journalist provides fresh information casting doubt on Liverpool’s Martin Zubimendi claims

Even though Martin Zubimendi was rumoured to be a target for Liverpool until this week’s beginning, the midfield player didn’t seem to think he would sign any sooner.

David Ornstein of The Athletic originally reported on Liverpool’s pursuit of Zubimendi on August 7. A day before, Liverpool had made clear that they were interested in an unidentified No. 6.

Over the next six days, there were a number of updates on the situation in both England and Spain before word leaked out that the 25-year-old had turned down a move.

According to reports, Liverpool had received indications that Zubimendi planned to join, and sporting director Richard Hughes was reportedly upset over how the deal fell through.

However, Simon Hughes, Ornstein’s colleague at The Athletic, has now disclosed that the midfield player “had told family members that he intended to stay” before the beginning of Real Sociedad’s preseason on August 5.

According to insiders from Sociedad, Hughes’ analysis casts doubt on the story of Liverpool’s botched attempt, refuting the idea that their charm attack won him over.

Liverpool “were smarting from seeing a player turn them down in favour of a’smaller’ club,” it is instead suggested.

It was first thought that Zubimendi was holding off on moving to Merseyside in order to save face for Sociedad, but since he has stayed, it appears that things may have gone the other way.

Naturally, it’s unclear exactly when the Spain international told Liverpool that he wouldn’t be joining, but it seems evident now that his decision has been set for some time.

On Sunday night, Sociedad will kick off their La Liga campaign at home against Rayo Vallecano. Manager Imanol Alguacil expressed his happiness that his No. 4 player turned down the riches of Anfield.

Zubimendi is anticipated to start. Before the game, he told reporters, “We knew that with the year he has had, they would come for him,” according to AS.

“Considering all the money that Liverpool wanted to throw around, you have to appreciate the fact that Martin has said no to staying here.

Liverpool is a historic and very large team.” Although Imanol called Zubimendi “the best signing of the year,” Liverpool is now looking for a replacement due to his alleged U-turn.

Though it is unclear if they will arrive within the current transfer window, Arne Slot stated to TNT Sports following Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Ipswich that the team would “not hesitate” to make the proper acquisition.

“We have a lot of talented players, but as I spoke earlier, we won’t think twice about getting another one. But we already have a lot of them,” the head coach clarified.