Martin Zubimendi has made his feelings clear on Real Sociedad transfer as 'love' for Liverpool legend revealed

Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi has made his feelings clear on a potential transfer away from the club this summer amid reported interest from Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side are in the market for a new defensive midfielder this summer, with the new Reds boss yet to add to his squad.

But midfield has been identified as a priority area for improvement, with Liverpool currently suffering from a lack of depth in that area.

Stefan Bajcetic has returned from injury after playing just once in the 2023/24 campaign, but it remains to be seen how quickly he can hit the ground running this term.

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool's top midfield target is Sociedad star Zubimendi, who impressed for Spain in the second half of the Euro 2024 final against England.

He has previously attracted interest from Arsenal but, despite his contract containing a €60 million release clause, has previously declared that he had little desire to leave his current club.

Speaking last winter, Zubimendi claimed he would not leave Sociedad mid-season.

He said: "I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad. I always say that. I love life here. I'm so happy here. The values of the club are the same as mine."

And he told Spanish outlet Sport: "I told my manager that I did not want to hear anything [about transfer rumours] especially in winter. Leaving Real Sociedad aside with the season we are having would be illogical."

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Zubimendi did, however, have good things to say about Bayer Leverkusen manager and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso.

"With Xabi, I got a run of games," he began. "I could feel the affection he had for me, which maybe comes from having the same position.

"He made a point of trying to show me things, teaching me. With him, I learned to recognise and differentiate presses, overcoming them.

"Before then, I played the way that more or less came naturally. With him, I started to truly understand concepts for bringing the ball out, building play.

"We would walk it through, inflatables positioned where the opposition would be."