Real Madrid set to hand Liverpool huge setback in transfer pursuit of 25-year-old La Liga star: Reports

Real Madrid are set to hand Liverpool a huge setback in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, as per TBR Football and AS (via TeamTalk). The 25-year-old was earlier identified by Liverpool's scouting staff as the ideal player to become the midfield-general in Arne Slot's side.

Madrid, however, are reportedly keen on bringing Zubimendi to the Bernabeu and lure him away from the temptations that Liverpool might offer him. It must be remembered that the Reds were keen on paying the €60m release clause last summer, but the latter chose to stay with Sociedad instead.

With their pursuit of Zubimendi, Madrid will be keen on boosting their midfield ranks, although it can be argued that they have some of the best players in the world in that department. Along with the veteran Luka Modric, Madrid already have Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos among others.

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Real Madrid have haunted Liverpool on and off the field in recent times

It is interesting to note that Real Madrid have haunted Liverpool on and off the field in recent times. The biggest blows must have been the defeats Los Blancos handed to the Reds in the finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18 and 2021-22. Madrid also knocked Liverpool out of the same tournament in the round of 16 stage in 2022-23.

Off the field, the team from the capital city of Spain have whisked away some of the biggest targets Liverpool had made for their squad. Transfers-wise, Real Madrid managed to lure away Tchouameni and Bellingham, who were the Reds' transfer targets in the 2022 and 2023 summer windows respectively.

Now, the same could happen with Zubimendi. The defensive midfielder has played in 21 matches across all competitions for Sociedad this season and even scored a goal. Zubimendi also has two assists to his name this season, helping take Sociedad to the seventh position in the league with 25 points.