Arne Slot makes telling Martin Zubimendi admission as star closes in on Arsenal transfer
Arne Slot makes telling Martin Zubimendi admission as star closes in on Arsenal transfer
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has subtly applauded Martin Zubimendi's qualities as the midfielder edges towards a move to Arsenal. The Reds and the Gunners have both been linked with the Real Sociedad midfielder, who has continued to see his stock rise. Liverpool were in the hunt for the Spaniard after he produced an excellent cameo in the final of Euro 2024, but missed out.
Mikel Arteta had been tracking Zubimendi prior to that and it is reported that Arsenal have secured a deal to sign the 25-year-old come the summer. Liverpool's interest was well documented as they embarked on a summer-long quest to land the midfielder.
Slot though has made great use of the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who has begun to realise the potential he showed as a youngster. The Liverpool boss insists Zubimendi - without naming him - would've been more than comfortable operating in their midfield - such are his attributes.
He told TNT Sports when discussing his deeper midfielders standing in the pocket between the opposition midfield and attack: “I prefer them to get the ball behind those two. Therefore these two (Liverpool centre-backs) are so important that we can find them behind those two (first line of opposition press), instead of asking the ball over here or there or there (wide). We prefer them keep more in midfield.
“I even think the player that we wanted to bring in – I think it’s out in the open that much – was also a player that was really comfortable, is still a player that is really comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball from our last line to our forwards.”.
