Martin Zubimendi has underlined his commitment to Real Sociedad after turning down a summer move to Liverpool, labelling the La Liga outfit – his boyhood club – his ‘life’.
Liverpool appeared on the cusp of landing Zubimendi last month, only for the 25-year-old to stay on with Sociedad after being offered an improved contract in San Sebastian.
The highly rated midfielder, who was a part of Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad, had also been on the radar of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich throughout the summer.
Liverpool scoured the market for possible alternatives after moving on from Zubimendi but the Merseyside giants would go on to make just one outfield addition before the transfer deadline, with Federico Chiesa arriving from Juventus.
While Zubimendi’s U-turn is said to have ‘angered’ Liverpool’s hierarchy, the Reds have not ruled out returning for the Sociedad star in the future.
However, speaking to Spanish publication Marca, Zubimendi stressed that Sociedad remained his sole focus for the time being.
‘Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there,’ Zubimendi said.
‘A lot of what I am is part of La Real, it is my life.’
Asked whether his friends had been asking him for updates over his future over the summer, Zubimendi replied: ‘My friends are clear that whatever I decide will be the best.
‘There is no pressure at all.’
While Sociedad managed to keep hold of Zubimendi, the club lost another of their key players in Mikel Merino, who completed a £32million move to Arsenal towards the end of the window.
‘It has been spoken about for a long time, there were rumours, but until it happens it doesn’t hurt as much,’ Zubimendi said when asked about Merino’s departure.
‘We have spent many years sharing the field with him both at Real and with the national team. We all have to adapt.’
