Liverpool’s pursuit of Martin Zubimendi is set to reach a conclusion this week, with the player being urged to make a decision on his future promptly. While Real Sociedad would prefer to keep their midfielder for another season, Liverpool has made him their top target for this summer. The decision now lies with Zubimendi, who must carefully consider leaving his boyhood club.
Contrary to common belief, the issue at hand is not financial. Reports suggest that Zubimendi is taking his time to make sure that joining Liverpool is the right move for him. However, Sociedad seems to be playing hardball, insisting that if Zubimendi wants to leave, he must trigger his buyout clause himself at LaLiga’s Madrid offices. It is important to note that Zubimendi’s contract includes a buyout clause, not a release clause. In Spain, a buyout clause requires the player to deposit the specified fee in order to activate the transfer.
Despite the confusion surrounding the terminology, Liverpool would still be paying the fee, albeit through Zubimendi rather than directly to Sociedad. There were initial concerns that the money paid to Zubimendi would be treated as income by Spanish authorities, resulting in an increased fee. However, this is no longer the case. It is worth considering that Sociedad’s public display of playing hardball may be a mere PR exercise to appease their supporters, as they see key players leaving this summer.
It is reasonable to assume that Liverpool has already obtained the necessary assurances for the transfer to proceed smoothly. Previous experiences, such as last summer’s pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, should have taught the club valuable lessons in securing transfers. With Sociedad potentially trying to save face, it is likely that the negotiations behind the scenes are progressing favorably.
In conclusion, the ongoing saga of Martin Zubimendi’s potential move from Real Sociedad to Liverpool is nearing its end. Liverpool’s pursuit of the midfielder has faced obstacles, with Sociedad insisting that Zubimendi activates his buyout clause. While the situation may be portrayed as tense in the public eye, it is probable that the negotiations are progressing positively for Liverpool.