Despite suffering a hamstring injury that will keep him out until early November, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is being tracked by a number of clubs.
Having spent his entire career with the club and rejected a £52 million move to Liverpool in the future, the tables have turned for the midfielder, and he seems set on leaving his boyhood club.
The midfielder has started 12 of Sociedad's matches this season, continuing to be the side's first-choice number 6. Known for his accurate passing and sharp defensive capabilities, multiple elite clubs are beginning to view the 25-year-old as a genuine option to slot into their midfields.
Man City are the current favourites to sign Zubimendi at 5/2. With club hero Kevin De Bruyne reportedly on his way out of the club and Rodri injured for the rest of the season, it appears that Pep Guardiola will need a new man to anchor his midfield. Zubimendi could fill that role.
Martin Zubimendi next club odds
Below are the teams taking a look at Zubimendi for the January transfer window. Impressive after coming on for Rodri in the EURO 2024 final, he is being eyed by a number of Europe's first-class clubs.
| Team | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Stay at Real Sociedad |
2/7 |
| Man City |
5/2 |
| Liverpool |
12/1 |
| Arsenal |
20/1 |
| Barcelona |
40/1 |
| Real Madrid |
40/1 |
Current favourites if Zubimendi leaves
Man City – 5/2
Although history would indicate that a move away for Zubimendi is far from a certain prospect, the current favourites to sign the midfielder are Man City. In need of a new number 6 after Rodri's injury, the acquisition of Zubimendi just seems to make sense for Pep Guardiola.
The defensively-minded player has a duel success rate of 64.6% in La Liga this season, as well as a 66.7% success rate in aerial duels. Both statistics sit him in the highest percentile of midfielders in the league, and so his tough-tackling nature would make him the perfect fit for the void Guardiola is trying to fill.
At 5/2, Man City would be a great choice for punters, as they appear much more likely than any of their competitors to have a chance at signing Zubimendi.
Liverpool – 12/1
Despite having already had a move for the Spaniard rejected, Arne Slot's Liverpool remain in contention to bring the midfielder to Anfield in January. At 12/1, though, their chances seem slim.
With the rise of Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones in Slot's new system, it may also not be the cleverest of choices to have another midfielder enter the fray, when two of the club's current players have shown real promise this season.
Another thing to consider was Zubimendi refuting claims that he “regretted” not joining Liverpool. The midfielder rejected any speculation that turning down the move was a bad idea, and so, at 12/1, the Reds do not seem a likely destination for the midfielder at this stage.
Arsenal – 20/1
Another outside pick, Arsenal are placed at 20/1 by the bookies to land Zubimendi. In the midst of the summer transfer window, this may have seemed a very possible occurrence, but with Mikel Merino joining the Gunners from the same club, this now does not seem feasible.
Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Merino are all vying for the same holding midfielder role, and so adding a fourth-choice number 6 to the mix just seems like overkill. At 20/1, the Gunners are not a good value pick for punters here.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
