Liverpool are largely anticipated to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi soon, but the transfer window is prone to surprises, and the Reds are preparing for one.
According to reports, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes has compiled a shortlist of four potential replacements for the Spanish international.
The present situation is as follows: Spanish outlets indicate that Liverpool is prepared to activate Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause, and the player is expected to accept the transfer to Anfield.
However, there have been reports that Sociedad is trying everything they can to persuade Zubimendi to reject the Reds and stay with them instead.
They managed to do it when Arsenal came calling for him in January, so it’s not impossible, though it appears improbable.
According to The Express, Liverpool has ‘four alternatives’ for Zubimendi if he refuses a transfer to Anfield.
The first name on the shortlist is Andre Trindade of Fluminense, who will be familiar to supporters after Liverpool expressed interest in him last year.
The 23-year-old, like Zubimendi, has excellent passing and defensive statistics, but his aerial duels winning percentage is lower.
Andre is Alexis MacAllister’s former teammate who is available for about £60 million this summer. Fulham are eager to recruit Andre as a replacement for Joao Palhinha, so the Reds will need to act quickly to bring him in.
Ederson, an Atalanta midfielder, has also been suggested as a potential replacement for Zubimendi at Liverpool.
He started both legs as eventual champions Atalanta eliminated the Reds, then led by Jurgen Klopp, from the Europa League quarter-finals in April.
The 25-year-old is worth roughly £38 million and so a more affordable alternative than Zubimendi and Andre. He’s also believed to be interested in joining a Premier League club this summer.
Hughes has strong contacts in Serie A, which might offer Liverpool an advantage if they decide to pursue Ederson. However, Atalanta expects to lose Teun Koopmeiners soon and will be reluctant to let him go.
Alan Varela, the Porto midfielder, is another alternative. He was first connected with Liverpool in March 2023, and it appears that Hughes is still interested in him.
As highlighted in The Express, he is more offensive than Zubimendi and takes more shots each game, yet he only scored twice last season.
The final name apparently on Hughes’ shortlist is Wolves’ Joao Gomes, who has extensive Premier League experience and has recently been connected with Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has impressed since signing from Flamengo for £15 million 18 months ago. It is reported that his worth has ‘at least tripled since for a player dubbed The Pitbull’.
Liverpool hopes to finalise the signing of Zubimendi in the coming days, but the quartet are the names to keep an eye on if the transfer does not go through.