REPORTS ● Martin Zubimendi discloses the reality behind Liverpool’s rejection as Real Sociedad denies new contract rumors

Real Sociedad has shed light on why they have not yet offered Martin Zubimendi a new contract, following the midfielder’s revelation about turning down a summer transfer to Liverpool and his future aspirations.

Zubimendi, a Euro 2026 champion, was seen as an ideal No 6 to bolster Liverpool’s midfield. The Reds activated his £50.5m (€60m / $66.5m) release clause and proposed to triple his wages. Despite this, as the transfer approached its final stages, Zubimendi had a change of heart and chose to stay loyal to his hometown team, leaving Arne Slot without the player.

TEAMtalk reports that Liverpool remains interested and could revisit the move in January if Zubimendi indicates a willingness to negotiate, especially since a new contract with Real Sociedad has not yet been presented to him.

Real Sociedad President Jokin Aperribay clarified in an interview with Noticias de Gipuzkoa that Zubimendi’s decision to stay was his own, with no new contract conditions attached.

“There have been no conversations with Zubimendi to renew his contract,” Aperribay said. “There have not been now and there have not been before. He did not put any conditions on us. He understood the moment and knew that it was a market in which some players were already going to leave, and he understood that it was time to stay at Real Sociedad. He has not put a renewal as a condition nor have we talked about it. The conversation with Martín was short and quick.”

Martin Zubimendi’s Perspective on Staying with Real Sociedad

Reports from the Spanish press at the time of Zubimendi’s decision indicated that his attachment to his hometown, including his love for hiking in the San Sebastian hills, was a significant factor in his choice to reject Liverpool.

Zubimendi himself expressed his contentment with staying at Real Sociedad in an interview with Marca, saying, “Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. A lot of what I am is part of La Real, it is my life.”

Since his decision, Sociedad has lost Mikel Merino to Arsenal and Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid, leading to a challenging start to the season. Nevertheless, Zubimendi remains optimistic, stating, “It’s true that right now we are not at one hundred percent. We have new players who have barely trained with us and other important ones have left. As soon as we find the right mix, things will be fine. This project that has been going on for years. We have been in Europe for five years and the demands are high – not only in the club, but also from the people. We hope to meet those expectations.”

Aperribay emphasized their commitment to building around Zubimendi and strengthening the squad. “We have decided to invest in the future … if we had looked to the present we would have made transfers of a different profile. There are many clubs that when you invest in the short term your next step if it doesn’t work out is difficult. Talent, training, believing, growing and progressing. These last two are not the same. I hope they make us progress. I want to win everything, La Liga too.”

Liverpool’s Focus Shifts Amid Zubimendi’s Decision

While Liverpool missed out on signing Zubimendi, their current focus is on securing new deals for key players Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk. Despite speculation about Salah’s future following his “last year here” comments, former Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian believes Salah will remain loyal to the club, saying, “We talked about it, but it was clear that he wanted to stay at the club. He is now in the last year of his contract with the club, I don’t know if they have already started talking to him about renewing the contract or opening the way for him to leave the club, but I can’t see Mohamed Salah currently outside Liverpool.”

Liverpool manager Slot has also commented on Caiomhin Kelleher’s recent disappointment over not securing a summer move

Zubimendi’s Fit for Liverpool’s Midfield

Although the prospect of Zubimendi joining Liverpool now seems unlikely, his profile perfectly matched what Slot sought for the midfield. With Dominik Szoboszlai providing drive and a long-range threat, and Alexis Mac Allister as a playmaker, Liverpool needed a No 6 like Zubimendi to control play deep, protect the defense, and deliver precise forward passes.

Last season, Zubimendi’s pass completion rate of 85.7% ranked in the 79th percentile among La Liga midfielders, and his average of 5.15 progressive passes per 90 minutes was in the 74th percentile. Defensively, he excelled as well, winning 1.49 aerial duels per 90 (75th percentile), making 1.83 clearances (85th percentile), and recording 1.25 interceptions (76th percentile).