MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 08:19:07| >> :120:29982:29982:

Martin Zubimendi: Man City to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" amid transfer interest

Zubimendi asking price 'not an obstacle' for Man City amid January interest
© Imago
Manchester City are reportedly going to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" in their pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Manchester City are reportedly going to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" in their pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Citizens have been tipped to delve into the January transfer market to recruit reinforcements as Pep Guardiola is currently working with a squad down to its bare bones amidst a growing injury crisis.

Arguably the biggest absentee for City is star lynchpin Rodri, who is ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he sustained in September.

Rodri recently revealed that he has 'challenged himself' to participate in club games before the end of the current season, although a return before Man City's FIFA Club World Cup campaign next July seems unlikely at this stage.

The reigning Premier League champions have been credited with an interest in a host of midfielders in recent weeks, including Rodri's Spanish teammate Zubimendi, who continues to be linked with an exit from Real Sociedad.

Liverpool, who failed to sign Zubimendi last summer, are also understood to have a long-standing interest in the midfielder, while the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona are also believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.

Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi on July 14, 2024© Imago

Zubimendi to Man City in January?

According to Spanish news outlet Cope, Zubimendi's €60m (£49.9m) release clause is 'not an obstacle' for interested parties including Man City.

Several journalists have shared their views on the 25-year-old's situation, including Ander Iturralde who has refused to rule out an approach from Man City in January.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they came to sign him in the winter market," said Iturralde.

Cope Gipuzkoa's head of football Marco Antonio Sande feels that the interested suitors in Zubimendi may consider negotiating only with the player and not directly with Real Sociedad.

"Those clubs that are considering signing Zubimendi are not going to deal with Real, they are going to deal directly with the player," said Sande.

Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi reacts on August 18, 2024© Imago

"A long and hard winter" coming for Real Sociedad?

In addition, journalist Giovanni Batista has claimed that Man City's interest in Zubimendi will be 'diluted easily' and that could therefore be a concern for Real Sociedad.

"Manchester City are going to give us (Real Sociedad) a long and hard winter," Batista added.

Zubimendi has spent his entire senior career with Real Sociedad and has made a total of 204 appearances in all competitions since and including his debut in 2019.

The Spaniard, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, has played down suggestions that he is keen to leave the Reale Arena, where he is under contract until June 2027.

ID:558090:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5666:

Click here for more stories about Martin Zubimendi

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Manchester City trail Liverpool by five points going into the November international break on November 12, 2024
Read Next:
Liverpool favourites? Premier League race assessed as City and Arsenal falter
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!