Real Sociedad, though, are desperate to hold on to their most valued player, who has been a mainstay since coming through the youth ranks to make his debut in 2019.
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And they have sent out a strong message by informing the midfielder he must pay the release clause of €60m himself at La Liga offices.
It has increased the pressure on Zubimendi to choose to cut himself loose from his boyhood club rather than Liverpool negotiate a deal with Real Sociedad as would be the usual practice.
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Local reports have indicated the Spanish side remain pessimistic they can persuade Zubimendi to stay at the club. And while Liverpool have not yet placed a deadline on the player's decision, they are unwilling to allow the situation to drag on with less than three weeks until the window closes on August 30.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg remain keen on Bobby Clark although their latest bid of £8m remains short of Liverpool's asking price, with the Reds wanting at least £10m for a player they bought for £1.5m from Newcastle United three years ago.
Ben Doak has been a loan target for Leicester City and Southampton although a permanent departure cannot be discounted. There is also a suggestion the Reds could be open to letting Stefan Bajcetic depart on loan after the Spaniard struggled to gain minutes during pre-season.
A number of other players, including Tyler Morton, Sepp van den Berg, Owen Beck, Kaide Gordon and Nat Phillips, continue to be linked heavily with moves - both permanent and temporary - away from Liverpool before the deadline.
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