A penny for Richard Hughes’ thoughts right now, with Martin Zubimendi looking set to join Arsenal this summer.
The Real Sociedad midfielder was of course part of a transfer saga last summer that looked set to end with him making the move to Anfield. Zubimendi though made the late decision to reject Liverpool and stay in Spain.
The 26-year-old seemed to indicate that he had no intention of leaving his boyhood club. Less than 12 months on from turning the Reds down though, he looks to have made another dramatic U-turn, with a move to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals in the works.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Zubimendi has now verbally agreed to sign a long-term deal with Arsenal. Formal steps are soon to follow, with the Gunners set to trigger the player’s $68 million clause.
Although Liverpool managed to move on successfully from Zubimendi, with Ryan Gravenberch proving a revelation in the No.6 role as the Reds strolled to the Premier League title, the Spanish international’s expected move to North London may not leave Anfield chiefs best pleased.
It was reported last summer that Liverpool had been informed that Zubimendi was prepared to leave his boyhood club, only to reverse his decision just as a deal looked to be nearing completion.
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Reports at the time even suggested that Hughes was left angry by the U-turn. According to the Daily Mail, the Reds’ sporting director believed he had been given an unequivocal agreement from Zubimendi to become what would have been his first signing since joining the club.
And Hughes won’t be any happier now that Zubimendi looks to have made yet another U-turn, especially since it looks as though he will join one of Liverpool’s main challengers for silverware next season.
Having turned down the Reds, Zubimendi would go on to indicate that he had no intention of leaving Sociedad, which now looks to have not been the case.
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“I reacted when the situation arose,” Zubimendi said of finding out about Liverpool’s interest. “It was an uncomfortable time for me, but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay.
“I don’t believe in ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunities. If you’re good and want to achieve something, it will come to you. There’s no need to rush.
“I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club’s project. I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take.
“It wasn’t that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me. And that was staying.”
