Liverpool are interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness).

The Catalan publication claims that the Reds have taken an interest in the Spanish international, along with Aston Villa.

Zubimendi is a holding midfield player by trade but he is much more in the mould of someone like Thiago, rather than a player who sits and breaks up attacks.

With the Liverpool star’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, there is a possibility that the Reds are lining up a potential replacement.

At 24 years of age, Zubimendi does fit the age profile that the Merseyside club usually look at when it comes to signings, and there is also a release clause in his contract that would make any deal easier to negotiate.

Zubimendi can be signed for £51.5m

The Spaniard signed a contract in October 2022 that reportedly included a buyout fee worth €60m (£51.5m), which would be an acceptable price for a player of his quality.

Liverpool have a recent track record of triggering release clauses, having paid the €70m (£60m) required to bring in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig last summer.

Would the player be interested in joining Liverpool?

While there are unlikely to be any issues with the financial side of the deal, there are question marks over whether Zubimendi would be keen on making the switch to England.

In January last year, it was reported that Arsenal were preparing to trigger the midfielder’s release clause. However, they didn’t end up signing him after the player signalled his intention to remain at Real Sociedad.

It is believed that Zubimendi may still be inclined to stay in San Sebastian, at least until after Euro 2024, so this may be a move that is revisited at the end of the season.

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