Real Sociedad Midfielder Explains Why He Turned Down Liverpool

Real Sociedad midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, has explained turning down Liverpool over the summer.

Liverpool were willing to pay Zubimendi’s €60 million buyout clause, but the Spain international chose to stay with La Real.

“My friends are clear that whatever I decide will be the best. There is no pressure whatsoever,” Zubimendi told Marca.

“For me, Real Sociedad is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. Much of who I am is part of La Real, it is my life.”

On this season’s targets, he also said, “The matter with Europe is clear. The higher the position, the better.

“We have to look for our best version and, above all, compete. Feel competitive, be recognized, and be seen as having a personality.”

The Spanish international joined the club’s academy in 2011 at the age of 12 and worked his way up the ranks. He previously rejected advances from Bayern Munich and Arsenal to stay put.

But while Liverpool have enjoyed three successive wins to start the season, Zubimendi has won just one of his four games to see Sociedad sit 12th in La Liga with just four points.