Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi has made it clear that he’s committed to staying at Real Sociedad, despite ongoing interest from Manchester City following his rejection of a summer transfer to Liverpool.
The 25-year-old was widely tipped to move to Anfield after a strong showing at Euro 2024 with Spain, and there was significant interest from top clubs across Europe. Many believed the deal was all but done, but Zubimendi chose to remain loyal to his boyhood club in the Basque region.
Real Sociedad has had a challenging start to their La Liga campaign, with only two wins from their first nine matches. Zubimendi, however, has been a key player, and his performances have attracted the attention of Manchester City, who are eyeing a defensive midfielder to fill the gap left by Rodri’s season-ending injury. Despite the rumors, Zubimendi remains focused on his current club.
“There are always rumors, but I’ve always believed the best decision for me is to stay at Real Sociedad,” Zubimendi stated. “I still have a lot to give to this club, and I want to continue growing and developing here.”
With Rodri out, Zubimendi has moved up in the pecking order for Spain’s national team, securing a spot for upcoming matches against Denmark and Serbia. Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, has already praised him as the second-best midfielder in the world, just behind Rodri.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions, especially since this opportunity comes because of an injury to a key player,” Zubimendi said. “But this is a window of opportunity, and I plan to make the most of it.”
Earlier this month, Zubimendi addressed speculation that he might regret his decision to stay at Real Sociedad. “My approach has always been to follow what feels right in the moment,” he explained. “There was a lot of noise around my decision, and it wasn’t easy. But I’m happy and at peace with staying here. The media tends to complicate things, but for me, it was a simple decision.”
When asked if he had any second thoughts about rejecting Liverpool, Zubimendi was firm. “I don’t regret it at all, not after just a few games into the season,” he added. “I made my decision based on what felt right for me, and the early results don’t change that. I see real potential in this team, and every training session makes me more excited for the season ahead.”
