Real Sociedad tell Martin Zubimendi he must pay HIS OWN release clause to join Liverpool amid reports of strict deadline

Real Sociedad have reportedly informed Martin Zubimendi that he must pay his own release clause if he wants to leave the club, in a desperate tactic to prevent him from joining Liverpool.

Zubimendi has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield this summer after impressing for Spain at Euro 2024.

He made several appearances in the tournament and came off the bench in the final against England to help his side to a 2-1 win in Berlin.

Liverpool are considering triggering a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract with Sociedad, with Arne Slot reportedly a huge fan of the 25-year-old midfielder.

But the Spanish club are reluctant to lose one of their best players and have attempted to convince him to snub a move to the Premier League.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail claimed Sociedad used a presentation to highlight the scenery, food and weather in San Sebastian to convince him to stay.

And they have now cranked up the pressure on the midfielder in brutal fashion.

The Times claim Sociedad have told him he must trigger his own release clause if he wants to leave his boyhood club.

The process would involve Zubimendi paying the fee himself at the La Liga offices in Madrid if Liverpool trigger the clause in his contract.

Sociedad are said to be playing 'hardball' with the midfielder in an attempt to convince him to stay, with the player yet to make up his mind over a move to England.

Reports in Spain claim Liverpool have given Zubimendi until Wednesday to come to a final decision, or they will move on to focus on other targets in the No 6 position.

But there has been conflicting reports over the supposed deadline, with The Times claiming nothing has been set in stone.

"While it is understood that there has been no ultimatum of that nature issued from the Anfield hierarchy, there is an acceptance from the player's side as well as at Liverpool that the present situation cannot carry on indefinitely," read the report.

Sociedad's ruthless approach comes with the club having already sold defender Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid earlier this week, with another midfielder Mikel Merino also a target for Arsenal.

It remains to be seen whether Zubimendi will take the plunge and pay his own release clause but further developments are expected in the coming days.