This past summer was a quiet one at Anfield, with the Reds only bringing in Italian winger Federico Chiesa to improve their squad for the 2024/25 campaign. Liverpool also secured the signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but the the Georgian international will arrive at Anfield next summer after having agreed to remain with the La Liga side on-loan for this season.
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They had earmarked Martin Zubimendi as their number one defensive midfield target too, only for the Real Sociedad star to spurn their advances. Zubimendi turned down the Reds, deciding instead to stay in the Basque country.
And with Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes viewing Zubimendi as their top target, and the only defensive midfielder who suited the profile they were looking for, they opted not to re-enter the market and spend money on a player they were not 100 per cent convinced by.
But they could be set to add a midfielder in January. Football Insider report the Reds are looking at bringing in a defensive midfielder and a left-sided center-back in January. Alongside their more concrete interest in Zubimendi, they were also linked to Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.
Martin Zubimendi dribbles with the ball while playing for Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad kept hold of Martin Zubimendi in the summer despite Liverpool interest.
The Italian center-back, who is left-footed, impressed last season at Bologna under Thiago Motta. However, Calafiori signed for Arsenal this summer, taking him off the market. While Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate look set to be the starting pair at the heart of the Reds defense this term, the former is out of contract in the summer.
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Additionally, Konate did not start the season as Slot's first choice to partner Van Dijk. In their first game against Ipswich, Slot opted to start Jarell Quansah alongside the Dutchman, a decision which ultimately backfired when he substituted the young defender at half-time against the Tractor Boys.
Konate replaced Quansah and has maintained his place in the Reds starting XI ever since. But with Van Dijk out of contract in January, Liverpool could be looking to find his long-term successor on the left-side of their defense due to having Konate and Quansah being able to cover the right-hand side.
Liverpool.com says: "Liverpool has a decision to make over Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman, who will be 34 entering the 2025/26 season, still looks to be at the top of his game. But with Liverpool traditionally shying away from giving new deals to aging stars, it will be interesting to see how they attack the January transfer window. If they go all out to land a defender who can play as a left-sided center-back, it could be a hint they would be willing to let Van Dijk go in the summer on a free."
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