EXCL: Liverpool NEED Zubimendi alternative, Osimhen to Chelsea or Arsenal clarification, why Doue snubbed Bayern for PSG, and more

Liverpool will assess their options after the surprise blow of missing out on Martin Zubimendi...

Liverpool surely need a Zubimendi alternative and will assess options

One of the big shocks of the last few days was with Martin Zubimendi - Liverpool were working on this deal for one week in public and more than one week in private, and they had the feeling that Zubimendi wanted to go to Liverpool, he was tempted by the project, tempted by the club, tempted by Premier League football.

But, after thinking about it, and after a lot of pressure from Real Sociedad, including a new contract proposal from the club, though it’s impossible to compare what they were offering him to what Liverpool were ready to pay, Zubimendi decided to change his position and stay loyal to his club.

At one point, Liverpool also discussed offering Stefan Bajcetic as part of the negotiation - there was a possibility to include the young Spanish midfielder on loan as part of the Zubimendi deal, but Liverpool preferred to pay the release clause rather than giving Sociedad Bajcetic on loan. So, it all collapsed and Sociedad were able to keep Zubimendi.