Liverpool have already moved on from Martin Zubimendi transfer snub as new star emerges
Martin Zubimendi was a player Liverpool were desperate to sign in the summer, and he is likely to still be on their radar even after his high profile snub
by Mark Jones · The MirrorSomewhere in the depths of Liverpool's Kirkby training base there is probably a room. And in that room is probably a desk. And in that desk is probably a drawer. And in that drawer is probably a piece of paper. And if your name is on that piece of paper it is never coming off.
Okay that sounds a bit dramatic, but it is true to say that once the Reds have identified you as a transfer target they are going to keep on monitoring you no matter what, be it injury as in the case of Federico Chiesa, or accusations of tapping up and clandestine trips to Blackpool as it was with Virgil van Dijk.
When Liverpool want a player they are prepared to play the long game, and so that is why Martin Zubimendi's name will still be on their radar even after he turned them down in the summer.
It was said that Zubimendi is now regretting his decision to change his mind on a move to Anfield in the summer having initially given the Reds his word, although those claims have been disputed. If he is questioning why he stayed then then Real Sociedad's four defeats in six La Liga games this season would probably have something to do with it.
Off the pitch though, the pull of the beautiful Basque region was a key factor in him deciding to stick to his roots, with Zubimendi struggling with the idea of turning his back on his home for something new and fairly daunting.
Footballers are human beings and so his decision should be respected, but Zubimendi's rejection has hugely altered the career arc of a player he could have been calling his team-mate in Ryan Gravenberch, with the Dutchman turning in a series of impressive performances at the base of Reds midfield in the position which had been earmarked for the Euro 2024 winner.
We are of course in the very early days of the season and so much can change in the coming weeks and months, but Gravenberch has made that position his own for now. It is his shirt, as he expertly demonstrated in Milan where he was man of the match.
All of which means that the profile of player Liverpool could be looking for in midfield is likely to have switched. Instead of a specialist in the role they might be looking for a more well-rounded option who can fill in a number of positions, with Gravenberch as the staple in the side in the deepest role.
If it can be done in January then Liverpool should still explore signing Zubimendi providing they find him to be up for the challenge, as adding quality players to your squad is always the best option.
But the need doesn't seem as drastic now with Gravenberch playing as superbly as he is. Zubimendi's name will still be on that piece of paper in that drawer in that desk in that room, but it probably isn't underlined now.
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