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Martin Zubimendi is still a Real Sociedad player as things stand(Image: Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Liverpool reportedly should not be resigned to playing against an Arsenal team with Martin Zubimendi in midfield next season.

Reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon that the Gunners will sign the Real Sociedad player at the end of this season.

The Reds also thought that the Spain international would become theirs at one stage of last year's summer transfer window, but Zubimendi is still in San Sebastian.



The definitiveness of any move to Arsenal is being played down elsewhere in the national media.

Arsenal are now said to be simply pursuing the player, as Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly were mere months ago.

They insist the player will not decide on anything until the end of this season and has always made that clear, meaning he will not be changing his mind now, with Noticias de Gipuzkoa journalist Mikel Recalde incredulous at claims to the contrary in England.

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They acknowledge Zubimendi turned down Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool five months ago.

Real Madrid, though, are considered the greatest danger to the player leaving, namely if they succeed in appointing Xabi Alonso as their new head coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti during the summer.

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Zubimendi has previously described the former Liverpool midfielder as an idol and a role model.

Alonso, of course, joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2014.


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