Manchester United have reportedly placed a €60m (£51m) bid on the table for Martin Zubimendi, which meets the release clause written into his contract at Real Sociedad.
The Red Devils are determined to sign a new central midfielder this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
However, Man United are said to be finding it difficult to agree a price with PSG, as the French champions are believed to want €70m (£59.2m) for the Uruguay international.
Erik ten Hag's side are therefore assessing the other options on the market, and Zubimendi has recently been linked with a switch to the 20-time English champions.
According to El Nacional, Man United have now placed a €60m (£51m) bid on the table, which is enough to activate the buy-out clause in his Real Sociedad deal.
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Man United 'agree' to activate Zubimendi release clause
Barcelona are long-term admirers of Zubimendi, but the Catalan outfit have allegedly identified his club and international teammate Mikel Merino as their leading midfield target.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that Zubimendi is "very happy" at Real Sociedad and claimed that "it is not an easy deal" even if his release clause has been activated.
"It's important to say that, for Zubimendi, there is an appreciation from the scouting department. But Zubimendi is a complicated deal because of the price," Romano told GiveMeSport.
"There is a €60m release clause, but the player is not desperate to leave the club. He has always been very happy at Real Sociedad. It's his city, it's his country, so that's why Zubimendi is not an easy deal. But there are several options and, for sure, Manchester United are considering doing something in the midfield."
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Would Zubimendi be a good signing for Man United?
Zubimendi showed his class for Spain in the second half of the Euro 2024 final against England.
Rodri's departure through injury was a huge blow, but Spain improved in the second half, with Zubimendi settling effortlessly into the contest, and he made four appearances at the competition in total.
Zubimendi entered the European Championship off the back of an excellent season for Real Sociedad, scoring four goals and registering one assist in 45 appearances in all competitions.
Man United are looking for the perfect midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo, and Zubimendi certainly fits the brief considering his skill set, and for £51m, it could be a bargain considering the current market.
Convincing the midfielder to leave Real Sociedad behind will be difficult, though, as he has been with the Basque club since 2011, including five years in the first team.
Matt Law
