Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are now trying to sign £50m midfielder, talks are about to start

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Liverpool’s search for a new holding midfield player is stepping up.

On Tuesday, it was reported by The Athletic that a mystery number six was being targeted by Liverpool, and a number of links have emerged over the past 24 hours.

Alan Varela was initially linked as this mystery player, but now, another name has emerged.

Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are now exploring a move to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad with talks set to start shortly.

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Liverpool exploring Martin Zubimendi move

According to Romano, Liverpool are looking into a deal to sign Martin Zubimendi.

The midfielder has a €60m (£50m) release clause in his contract, and that will surely appeal to the Reds.

Indeed, if there’s one thing we know about Liverpool’s transfer business it’s that they love to trigger a release clause to get a deal done.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai signed last summer on similar sorts of deals, while Ibrahima Konate joined on similar terms a few years ago.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, getting this Zubimendi deal done may not be easy.

Martin Zubimendi may want to stay

Liverpool may struggle to convince Zubimendi to leave Real Sociedad.

The midfielder has been courted by Arsenal for a long time now, but he’s consistently knocked the Gunners back.

Zubimendi has recently stated that he’s not looking to move anytime soon.

“I haven’t thought about it. I feel very loved, by the people I love and, for the moment, I see it far away (an exit). We value a lot about home, we feel represented and since I am a participant in this project it would be a shame to leave it,” Zubimendi said.

As a local lad playing for his boyhood club, Zubimendi would only leave if an incredible opportunity presented itself.

That said, Liverpool aren’t just any club, and the idea of being the lynchpin in this exciting team under Arne Slot could be enough to convince the Spaniard.

This is certainly a situation to keep an eye on.