This summer Arsenal completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, but the Spain International was about to come to Liverpool 12 months ago
Jamie Carragher thinks that Mikel Arteta is the reason that Martin Zubimendi did not sign for Liverpool last year. The Spanish midfielder, who sealed a move to Arsenal this summer, was about to sign for the Reds in 2024.
Liverpool had organized a £ 51 million deal with Real Sociedad and agreed personal conditions with Zubimendi. Everything was ready to go that the 26-year-old abruptly pulled the plug out of the movement in the eleventh hour.
Zubimendi publicly claimed that his choice was rooted in loyalty to his youth team. However, Carragher suspects a different story. He believes that Arteta subtly persuaded the player to wait for Arsenal and plant the seeds for a move to North Londs long before it was confirmed.
“I am now convinced that Arteta stole him from Liverpool,” Carragher told the Stok of football podcast. “He had agreed to come to Liverpool. He said he would come – and at the last minute he said: “I don't want to come. I'll have another year [at Sociedad]. '
'Artetas from the Basque area. There is no doubt that he has been in him and said: 'We are signing [Mikel] Merino This season we will come for you next season. '
“The deal was closed about halfway through the season. He certainly stopped [Liverpool’s] Agreement. That is why Zubimendi did not go to Liverpool. I think Arteta has come to him. “
Arteta was born in San Sebastian – the home of Real Sociedad – and even played shortly before the club and joined Van Rangers in 2004 before he left for Everton only six months later. Fast forward to the end of 2024, and he reportedly worked discreetly with his former side to secure Zubimendi for £ 55 million.
The transfer was officially in July, with the Spaniard now expected alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in a potentially formidable Arsenal -Middenveld.
Missing Zubimendi was a big disappointment in a different subdued Liverpool Summer Transfer window 12 months ago. Federico Chiesa was their only major signing, and the Italian attacker found minutes difficult to come by.
Yet it hardly derailed them – Arne Slot led Liverpool to a dominant Premier League triumph and finished 10 points for Arsenal to claim the club's 20th league title.
This year, Arteta and Zubimendi want to close that gap, although Liverpool's heavy summer spending of almost £ 300 million – on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, and with deals for Marc Guehi, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander is making that challenge.
That said, the Liverpool campaign began with stumbling in the community shield and lost to Crystal Palace after a 2-2 draw. Goals from Ekitike and Frimpong, along with a striking Display from Wirtz, gave up a glimpse of what Slot's Retooled side could deliver, but there are perhaps one or two tactical nods to first iron.