Martin Zubimendi's Tough Choice

In a surprising twist, Martin Zubimendi may be regretting his decision to stay with Real Sociedad instead of joining Liverpool this past summer. Former Reds defender Glen Johnson has voiced his disbelief at the 25-year-old midfielder's last-minute choice to remain loyal to the Basque club, especially in light of their disastrous start to the La Liga season.

The Liverpool Interest

Back in August, Liverpool was ready to activate Zubimendi's release clause, which was just over £50 million. However, the young star opted to commit to Real Sociedad, who now find themselves in dire straits, sitting at 16th place in the league with only one win out of their first seven matches. Instead of competing in the Champions League and vying for the Premier League title, Zubimendi now faces an uphill battle against relegation.

Johnson's Views

Johnson noted, “While it’s admirable to choose loyalty to his club, it’s hard to turn down a move to a club like Liverpool. Everybody dreams of playing for them. If he’s regretting that decision now, I can completely understand why. Currently, he could have been in contention for the Premier League title but is instead in a relegation fight.”

Future Speculations

There are murmurings that Zubimendi privately hopes Liverpool might rekindle their interest in him during the January transfer window. The Reds, who failed to acquire another central midfielder before the transfer deadline, might find themselves in need of Zubimendi's talent as their own midfield options face fatigue and injury concerns.

No Contract Extensions

Despite the possibility of Zubimendi moving on in the future, there have been no discussions regarding a new contract with Sociedad. Club president Jokin Aperribay confirmed that Zubimendi did not impose any conditions for a new deal, nor did the club engage in any negotiations. He added, “Martin understood the market dynamics and that this was a time to stay at Real Sociedad.”

Liverpool's Stance

Manager Arne Slot indicated Liverpool has “moved on” from pursuing Zubimendi, but given their ongoing quest for a top-tier midfield talent, it remains unlikely that this window is entirely shut.

Conclusion

As Zubimendi watches his peers participate in European competitions, one can't help but wonder: Will he make the jump to Liverpool for another shot at glory, or will he continue to face the stresses of a relegation battle? Stay tuned, as the January transfer window beckons, and the stakes couldn't be higher!