The Premier League is a dream for many footballers around the word, with such aspirations shared in countless interviews.
Receiving an approach from such a club is often welcome, especially when the club involved is the size of Liverpool. The Reds qualify for the Champions League consistently, fight for trophies each season and are an attractive prospect for ambitious footballers.
Therefore, when Liverpool came calling for Martin Zubimendi in the summer window, it was a temptation for the midfielder. He’d previously spoken publicly about wanting to continue at Real Sociedad, refusing to be tempted by transfer flirting from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Zubimendi didn’t turn down a move to Anfield without thought. It’s something he appears to have considered carefully and at one point Liverpool were presented as being confident they’d convinced him and the media close to La Real was getting ready to say goodbye.
Then the 25-year-old stopped it all, thanked the Reds for their interest, and decided he wouldn’t be going anywhere. It was a difficult time for Zubimendi, but he believes he made the right decision.
“Of course I don’t regret it (after La Real’s early season struggles), I can’t think that after four or five games at the start of the season. I made my decision from within, I thought it was the best thing to do, the results don’t affect me. I see potential in this team, you just have to watch us train and I’m excited about having a good season.
“In the end, like every market, things always come up. This summer it was my turn. These are things that happen that you have to deal with in the best way possible. It is true that I was a bit uncomfortable with everything, especially because of the noise, and in the end I isolated myself and made the decision that I thought was the right one.”
A local boy, Martin Zubimendi clearly thought he had unfinished business at Real Sociedad. Whether that will always be the case is of course unknown…
