Liverpool could move for star with £85m release clause after Martin Zubimendi

Liverpool could reportedly sign a big-name centre-back after they land Martin Zubimendi – if they can get a deal over the line for the Real Sociedad midfielder.

Spain international Zubimendi, a Euro 2024 winner last month, is Arne Slot’s first-choice target in the No.6 role. The 25-year-old is seen as the ideal man to partner Alexis Mac Allister in a new-look midfield.

If Zubimendi – who has a £51million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract – is brought in, he will become Slot’s first signing. The Dutchman has ambitions to strengthen other areas of the squad after that though.

Having missed out on 18-year-old wonderkid Leny Yoro when Manchester United blew Real Madrid and Liverpool out of the water financially, GiveMeSport say Benfica’s Antonio Silva is now an alternative target.

Portugal international Silva has an £85m release clause and is one of the highest-rated young centre-halves in Europe. He has already made 94 first-team appearances at the age of 20.

Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix is another name mentioned. The Frenchman is slightly older at 24 but would be cheaper as he’s into the final year of his contract in Germany.

However, Lacroix is also a target for Crystal Palace. The Eagles could lose Marc Guehi, another defender liked by Liverpool, to Newcastle in the coming days but want £65m to let the England international leave.

Like Yoro, Willian Pacho was also on the Reds’ radar but he has since signed for Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £38.5m.

GiveMeSport note how Levi Colwill of Chelsea is a long-term target for Liverpool. After he signed a new contract last August, running until 2029, he is not seen as attainable for another 12 months at least however.

Elsewhere, the Independent – in their Reading The Game newsletter – report that new forwards are also wanted by Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.

It is claimed the Liverpool recruitment team have been instructed by the duo to look at a range of different options. It’s said that the Merseyside outfit could even make two attacking acquisitions before the window closes.

Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon, formerly of Everton, is a known target. A £75m deal was agreed with the Magpies earlier this summer that would have seen Joe Gomez go the other way for £45m.

That agreement, however, was struck at a time when Newcastle were under greater financial scrutiny than they are now after the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. Any deal now would likely cost Liverpool nearer £100m.

If Liverpool miss out on Zubimendi, meanwhile, Atalanta midfielder Ederson is said to be a back-up option. Porto’s Alan Varela has also been linked with an Anfield switch.