Liverpool have a back-up option planned if their move for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi fails, according to reports.
Liverpool are the current favourites to sign the Spain international this summer after identifying him as their top midfield transfer target.
After The Athletic's David Ornstein reported earlier this week that Liverpool were considering a move for a specialist No 6 playing outside the Premier League, The Times' Paul Joyce went a step further and named the player as Zubimendi on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old has attracted attention from across Europe with his performances in recent seasons, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona all linked with the midfielder.
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Zubimendi was part of Spain's victorious Euro 2024 squad and came off the bench in the final to help his side beat England 2-1 in Berlin.
Zubimendi is reported to have a £51m release clause in his contract with Sociedad and new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is said to want the Spaniard to be "his first signing" as he "believes he can add control to his engine room".
It is claimed Slot "wants Liverpool to play a more possession-based game" and "strengthening at No 6 with a technical player has been a priority" for the Dutch coach.
Ornstein provided an update on the situation on Wednesday evening, stating that figures at Sociedad expect Zubimendi to agree to move to Anfield.
That's despite the player himself suggesting previously that he could remain at Reale Arena.
"(Next season) I'm going to be at Real Sociedad. I have a contract with Real Sociedad and that's where I feel most comfortable," Zubimendi told Spanish publication El Diario Vasco during the recent Euros.
Meanwhile, Spanish journalist Gerard Romero states that it is not a forgone conclusion that Zubimendi will join the Reds this summer.
"Zubimendi's departure to Liverpool is not so clear. Staying another year at Real is also very clear," he posted on X.
Liverpool are seemingly preparing for all eventualities and have reportedly opens talks with another midfield target in case their move for Zubimendi fails.
Football Insider claim the Premier League club have made contact with French star Adrien Rabiot, who is now a free agent after leaving Juventus in the summer.
He was part of the France squad that reached the semi-finals of the Euros, where they lost to Zubimendi's Spain.
Rabiot, 29, departed Juventus at the end of the 2023/24 season after five years at the club, during which time he won one Serie A title and the Coppa Italia twice.
He reportedly turned down the offer of a new two-year deal in Turin to become a free agent, and has been linked with several clubs since including Manchester United and Real Madrid in addition to Liverpool.
Topics: Liverpool, Transfer News, Premier League, Real Sociedad, Adrien Rabiot, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan