Martin Zubimendi has shared the reason why he rejected a move to Liverpool last summer, before eventually joining the Premier League this month by signing with Arsenal.
In August 2024, Liverpool were reportedly close to securing the Spanish midfielder — fresh off winning the European Championship — which would have marked the first signing of the Arne Slot era. However, Zubimendi chose to remain at Real Sociedad at the time, citing his “unconditional love” for the club — a statement that may feel insincere to Liverpool fans now that he’s joined one of their fiercest rivals.
Zubimendi Breaks Silence on Liverpool Rejection
Speaking to The Athletic, Zubimendi elaborated on his decision, explaining that his reason came down to five simple words: “It wasn’t the right time.”
“It was a difficult period,” he said. “I wanted to stay at La Real. But when offers come in, you start considering your options. The first thing I had to ask myself was if I wanted to leave — and it just wasn’t the right time. I felt that staying at Sociedad offered more opportunities for growth and development.”
Liverpool Moved On Quickly
While his decision was initially a blow to Liverpool — especially during a window where they hadn’t made any signings yet — the club quickly adapted. Arne Slot deployed a midfield pairing of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, which proved highly effective and formed the core of the team’s successful title-winning campaign.
In hindsight, Zubimendi may have wondered what could have been had he joined Liverpool, especially considering their achievements last season. However, his connection with fellow Basque and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appears to have played a key role in his eventual decision to join the Gunners.
Zubimendi’s arrival at Arsenal adds extra intrigue to the upcoming clash between the two sides at Anfield on 31 August — a fixture that could have major implications for the title race once again.
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