Martin Zubimendi ‘REGRETS rejecting Liverpool in the summer and has asked for them to try and sign him in January’ – after £52m midfielder opted to stay with Real Sociedad for the ‘food and hikes’

Martin Zubimendi reportedly regrets snubbing Liverpool this summer in favour of staying at Real Sociedad. 

The midfielder has apparently asked for the Reds to try and sign him in January after rejecting a £52million bid to stay in San Sebastian.

The 25-year-old had given Liverpool his word but backtracked after a charm offensive from Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, who reminded him of his love for Basque food and hiking locally.

Failing to sign Zubimendi left Liverpool somewhat in the lurch as he was their top summer target and they wanted a long-term successor to Fabinho, who left for Saudi Arabia in 2023, but Ryan Gravenberch has impressed as a number six.

However, Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claims he has told Liverpool to try and sign him again. That said, it is worth applying a dose of scepticism. Estadio Deportivo cites the ‘English media’ as a source.

Zubimendi turned down Liverpool’s £52m approach as he likes San Sebastian’s food and walks

It has been a disappointing start to the season for Real Sociedad, who are 16th in LaLiga and just a point above the relegation zone having played a game more than their rivals. 

They have finished in the top six for the past five seasons, with Zubimendi playing an important role for most of that time, but this season they have struggled to find the net. 

Some think that a sticking point for Zubimendi could be that he has not been offered an improved contract, with his current one up in 2027.

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay recently gave an interview denying that Zubimendi demanded an improved deal to stay put, amid suspicions that he had. 

‘There has been no conversation with Zubimendi to renew the contract. There has not been now and there has not been before. He did not put any conditions on us,’ he told local paper Noticias de Gipuzkoa.

‘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 a 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.’ 

As Mail Sport reported in August, the main factor that prompted Zubimendi’s switcheroo was manager Imanol’s persuasion.

Zubimendi was Liverpool’s top summer target and is a well-regarded defensive midfielder 

It is understood the boss held several meetings with the 25-year-old and tugged on his heartstrings to stay, referencing how the fanbase would be disappointed by his exit. Imanol also talked a lot about how good Zubimendi’s life is in San Sebastian.

He made a presentation that centred around the good food options in the Basque region and Zubimendi’s hobby of hiking up Mount Ulia. He also talked about how the player had told Spanish TV he would stay at La Real after the Euro 2024 final.