Liverpool have four back-up options if Martin Zubimendi snubs £51m transfer

Liverpool want to make Martin Zubimendi their first signing of the Arne Slot era but Real Sociedad are desperately scrapping to keep the midfielder. La Real are Zubimendi’s boyhood club and are pulling out all the stops to tempt the 25-year-old to remain in Spain.

Zubimendi has a £51million release clause and it had initially been reported that the La Liga club expected him to leave. That was despite him rejecting Arsenal’s advances earlier in the window to remain at Anoeta.

After initial confidence of a deal at Anfield, Real Sociedad are now fighting to block a move for the Euro 2024 winner, who has travelled with his team-mates to Berlin for a pre-season friendly tonight (6pm) against Union Berlin.

His team-mate, and Arsenal transfer target Mikel Merino, pointedly did not travel to Germany. So with Liverpool seemingly in danger of being denied Zubimendi, Express Sport looks at some alternative options for Slot and Richard Hughes…

Andre Trindade

Andre is a familiar name having been linked to Liverpool last summer. The Brazilian, 23, might be available for around £25m but Fulham are keen on him as a replacement for Joao Palhinha.

Statistically, the Fluminense man ranks exceptionally highly on FBref for passes attempted per match (81) and passes completed (95.2 per cent). He’s a progressive passer and can also carry the ball forward thanks to his eye-catching dribbling ability.

That seems to make him a suitable option for Slot. He also makes more tackles, interceptions and blocks per 90 minutes than Zubimendi too – though it must be noted their teams play different styles and in different leagues.

Yet Andre’s number of aerial duels won is way, way down on the Spaniard’s which will work against him given Alexis Mac Allister is only average in the air. The Dutchman will want someone more aerially dominant.

Alan Varela

Porto midfielder Alan Varela’s passing numbers are also very strong. He attempts 70 passes per 90, completes 87.7 per cent of those and averages seven progressive passes (completed passes that move the ball forward 10 yards or into the penalty area) per 90.

He is a more attacking alternative to Zubimendi as he averages more shots, assists and shot-creating actions. The South American is more of a player who initiates the attack than one who sets the tempo. Defensively the combative Varela does not appear to rank too highly.

The only category that stands out is his aerials won. He ranks in the 71st percentile compared to his positional peers but his tackling and interception numbers are way down on Zubimendi’s. Yet Varela reads the game well, is a willing runner and does not shirk his responsibilities out of possession.

The 23-year-old is also Mac Allister’s Argentina team-mate meaning they already have a rapport. He could cost around £60m though given he’s under contract until 2028.

Ederson

Liverpool’s players are well aware of Ederson. He started both legs as eventual champions Atalanta knocked the Reds – then managed by Jurgen Klopp – out of the Europa League quarter-finals back in April.

Ederson is slightly older at 25 but is also from Brazil. His passing percentages are inferior to Andre and Varela’s with only 50 passes attempted per 90 but nearly seven of these are classed as progressive passes.

A pass percentage of 83.1 per cent may be because he attempts more daring line-breaking passes than his peers. The Brazilian international’s defensive numbers are excellent with a strong average for tackles, interceptions and blocks and a slightly above average aerials won.

At around £38m he would be cheaper than Zubimendi but is more of a destroyer and a duel specialist than a pass-master. Despite Slot’s ambitions to sign a midfield metronome, Ederson’s attributes suggest he could blend well with the brilliant Mac Allister.

Joao Gomes

And yet another Brazilian – but this time one with Premier League experience – is Wolves’ Joao Gomes. The 23-year-old has impressed since joining from Flamengo for £15million 18 months ago. That value has at least tripled since for a player nicknamed ‘the pitbull’.

Only Palhinha made more tackles than Gomes (128) last season. He averaged an incredible 4.35 per 90 and also ranks highly for blocks, though does not make as many interceptions as Liverpool might ideally like.

On the ball he’s also more limited in comparison to the Merseyside outfit’s other options at No.6 and attempts only 43 per 90, completing just 82.2 per cent. Very few of these are progressive passes. That means, even more so than with Ederson, Slot would have to compromise and that looks unlikely.

Manchester United are also keen on Gomes meaning it could become a war of who is willing to pay higher wages. Traditionally that is a battle the Red Devils have always won against Liverpool.