Respected journalist drops Liverpool transfer bombshell as mystery No 6 target finally named

The identity of Liverpool’s mystery No 6 transfer target has now been revealed and it is certain to excite Reds supporters.

Liverpool have made a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window, with the Premier League club yet to make a senior signing.

That’s despite several first-team players departing the club at the end of their contracts last month.

Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, and Adrian all left to become free agents, leaving new head coach Arne Slot short on options in several positions.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein provided an update on the club’s transfer activity on Tuesday, reporting that the Reds have “identified a target” in defensive midfield.

Ornstein reported that the player is from “outside of the Premier League” but stopped short of naming him.

The Times’ Paul Joyce has now gone one step further and named the player as Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

Joyce confirmed that Liverpool are considering a move for the Spain international, who was part of the side that beat England in the final of Euro 2024 earlier this summer.

Zubimendi is reported to have a £51m release clause in his contract with Sociedad and Slot is said to want the Spaniard to be “his first signing” as he “believes he can add control to his engine room”.

The report adds that Slot “wants Liverpool to play a more possession-based game” and “strengthening at No 6 with a technical player has been a priority” for the Dutch head coach.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later confirmed the news of Liverpool’s interest in Zubimendi.

“Liverpool are exploring move for Martin Zubimendi as new midfielder, as there’s €60m release clause into his contract,” he posted on X. “Talks will follow between clubs and on player side.”

Zubimendi has made 188 appearances for Sociedad’s senior side, scoring eight goals, since making his debut for the club in 2016.

The 25-year-old notched four goals in 45 games last season and also featured four times for Spain at the Euros, where they were crowned champions with a 2-1 win over England in the final in Berlin.

Arsenal were strongly linked with the Spaniard last summer, while Barcelona and Manchester United are also reportedly interested in the player.

Liverpool could have a potential advantage in negotiations with Zubimendi, with the club’s new sporting director Richard Hughes rumoured to have a good relationship with the player’s agent, Inaki Ibanez.

In his previous role as Bournemouth technical director, Hughes helped to convince another client of Ibanez – head coach Andoni Iraola – to join the Cherries.