Respected Liverpool journalist reveals if Martin Zubimendi transfer could still happen after shock late twist

A respected journalist has revealed if Martin Zubimendi's potential transfer to Liverpool could be back on - despite reports that the midfielder rejected the move.

The Reds identified the Spain midfielder, who played against England in the Euro 2024 final, as a concrete target earlier this month.

The Athletic claimed that Sociedad expected Zubimendi, who has a release clause of £51 million contained within his contract, to make the move to Anfield.

Money was not to be an issue in the deal, given the existence of the release clause, although such clauses in Spain effectively require the buying club to pay the transfer fee to the player - who then triggers the clause himself.

But Sociedad tried to convince the 25-year-old, who is one of the club's key players, to stay put.

And it was reported on Tuesday that Zubimendi had decided not to make the move to Anfield after all. It is added that Arne Slot's side are 'unlikely' to target an alternative to the Spaniard, despite not making a single signing thus far this summer.

But The Times claim that contract talks between Zubimendi and Sociedad are currently 'problematic' - with Reds supporters thinking the move may not yet be impossible, if improbable.

Now, The Athletic's James Pearce has given an update on whether Liverpool feel the deal can be resurrected in a new Q&A.

He told Playback: "It's difficult to say. I don't have any indication at this time that Liverpool feel it can be revived.

"If there was the opportunity to, then they wouldn't suddenly have gone off him in the last 24 hours.

"But at the minute, I haven't spoken to anyone that seriously thinks it can be revived.

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"New contract talks and a pay rise was part of the play from Sociedad in terms of convincing him to stay put but it was never going to be about wages. Liverpool would have blown Sociedad out of the water in terms of personal terms.

"It was more to do with that emotional bond to the club. I'd be surprised if you have a scenario where he doesn't get what he wants financially from Sociedad, and suddenly changes his mind and says, 'Liverpool, can we get it done?'

"Stranger things have happened in football but at the moment there's no indication, certainly from anyone I've spoken to, that that's going to happen."