Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window.
The Spanish Euro 2024 winner was believed to be on the cusp of joining the Reds during the summer window, only to have a late change of heart and remain in San Sebastian.
Zubimendi recently opened up on his "selfish" decision to continue with his boyhood club, but he is being lined up for a Premier League move once again at the end of the current campaign.
Despite being rebuffed by Zubimendi over the summer, Liverpool are still understood to be in the mix, while Manchester City and Arsenal have also been touted as possible destinations.
Real Sociedad will be powerless to prevent the 25-year-old from leaving if a club activates his €60m (£49.8m) release clause, but Olabe remains calm, insisting that the player's "will" trumps written agreements.
Real Sociedad not expecting Zubimendi 'scare' in January
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"There is little peace regarding the clauses, but in all this time Martin himself has shown us that above the clauses are the wills," Olabe told Estadio Deportivo. "Until today we have already seen the behaviour that he has had, I do not foresee that we will have any scares in January."
Zubimendi still has two-and-a-half years to run on his contract with Real Sociedad, whom he has represented since 2011, and the midfielder now boasts nine goals and nine assists in 209 matches for the club.
The 25-year-old has scored once and set up two more goals in 21 matches this season and memorably replaced the injured Rodri during the Euro 2024 final, coming on at half time as Spain beat England 2-1.
After missing out on Zubimendi, Liverpool did not sign a new midfielder in the summer window, but Ryan Gravenberch has unexpectedly blossomed alongside Alexis Mac Allister in Arne Slot's double pivot.
Arsenal also opted against bringing in an alternative, while Man City re-signed Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona, but the experienced Germany international has struggled to hit the same heights he managed in his first spell at the Etihad.
Could Arsenal have a secret weapon in Zubimendi race?
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Liverpool and Man City may be considered the frontrunners for Zubimendi's signature at this juncture, but the Reds' title rivals Arsenal should not be discounted for more than one reason.
Both Thomas Partey and Jorginho could be moved on in the summer window, which would leave Mikel Arteta extremely short of cover in the number six role, and Arsenal already have a good relationship with Real Sociedad thanks to their previous dealings with Mikel Merino and Kieran Tierney.
Those transfers were brokered when Edu was Arsenal's sporting director, but the Gunners were rocked by the shock news of his resignation in the autumn, and Olabe himself is thought to be one of the leading candidates to replace him.
The Real Sociedad chief once signed Arteta as a player in 2004, and if the 57-year-old does indeed fill Edu's boots in North London, the Gunners would seemingly receive a huge boost in their efforts to win the race for Zubimendi.
Ben Knapton
