Liverpool hatch ‘A-list’ Zubimendi alternative plan as Romano ‘expects’ FSG to make signing

Lewis Oldham
Martin Zubimendi, Arne Slot
Martin Zubimendi rejected Arne Slot's Liverpool in the summer.

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are “expected” to make a signing before this summer transfer window closes.

The Reds are the only club in the Premier League yet to make a summer signing but they are in the market for new additions.

Earlier this summer, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was identified as Liverpool’s top target. He was expected to sign for the Premier League giants, who were willing to activate the £51m release clause in his contract.

Zubimendi eventually opted to perform a U-turn on a move to Liverpool and a report has revealed the main reason why he’s decided to reject Arne Slot’s side.

It’s been widely reported that Liverpool are not expected to sign an alternative for Zubimendi this summer, but they are targeting signings in other positions.

While one of their players has decided ‘to leave‘, Liverpool are in talks to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after he shone for Georgia at Euro 2024. 

Romano “still expects” Liverpool “to do something” this summer as they are evaluating potential “opportunities”.

“I think it’s still an open situation at Liverpool [for transfers]. I would not rule out Liverpool going into the market. They always keep repeating in public and private that they will only invest in players if they are 100% convinced,” Romano said on the Here We Go podcast.

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“Otherwise they believe they have a very good squad full of talented players for the future.

“Liverpool are not desperate to sign players, but movement is still there in terms of contact with agents, contact with clubs.

“So Liverpool are still moving. In case there will be opportunities in the final two weeks, I still expect Liverpool to do something on the market.”

After missing out on Zubimendi, a report from Football Insider claims Liverpool are ‘plotting a January swoop’ as they ‘will wait until signing an A-list midfielder’.

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The report explains.

‘The Reds are now unlikely to land a top number six before 31 August and will not rush into a deal.

‘The new-look recruitment team is keen to avoid the mistakes of the past and will not be drawn into an Arthur Melo-style panic deal as the club did in 2022.

‘The Reds’ transfer chiefs were caught out by Zubimendi’s decision as they believed they had done enough to convince him to make the move.

‘Despite this, they are keen not to rush into an alternative deal after missing out and will take their time to assess their options.

‘Slot is willing to wait until January to land the right profile of player, rather than bringing in a new name who wouldn’t fit the system in the way he wants.’