Liverpool identify £51m Arsenal target as key signing for Arne Slot

Liverpool are targeting a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to reports.

Arne Slot is keen for Liverpool to recruit a new midfielder capable of playing in the No.6 role ahead of the new Premier League season.

Zubimendi, who was part of the Spain squad which won Euro 2024 earlier this summer, has already attracted strong interest from Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta also looking to sign a new central midfielder before the end of the window.

Barcelona have also expressed an interest in the 25-year-old but they are now closing on a €60 million (£51.7m) deal for Dani Olmo.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool are looking at a possible deal for Zubimendi but face two key issues.

The first is that Real Sociedad are unwilling to accept anything lower than the midfielder’s €60m (£51.7m) release clause.

Liverpool are also yet to convince Zubimendi over a move to Anfield, with the midfielder making it clear during Euro 2024 that he is happy to stay at Real Sociedad.

Liverpool are yet to secure a major signing this summer but Slot insists the pool of talent who can improve his squad is limited.

‘The bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players,’ said Slot.

‘It is not so easy to first find a player to meet those standards and then is he available? Then we have to find an agreement with them, so it is not always easy to find a player who can help us.

‘Richard [Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director] is working hard on it and let’s see what comes from this. If he’s not here with us then we speak on the phone many times.’

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