Liverpool are reportedly ‘optimistic’ over their chances of signing Martin Zubimendi this summer, reports Ben Jacobs.

The CaughtOffside columnist shared an update on X (formerly Twitter) on the move spearheaded by Richard Hughes, with the Reds understood to see the player’s £51.7m release clause as ‘market value’.

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The midfielder is reportedly attracted to the possibility of an Anfield switch this summer – as has been now confirmed by Mikel Recalde and David Ornstein.

READ MORE: How Real Sociedad are now expecting Martin Zubimendi to respond to Liverpool interest – David Ornstein

READ MORE: Martin Zubimendi will be allowed to leave Real Sociedad if one thing happens – David Ornstein

A seriously impressive opening signing for the Arne Slot era

Zubimendi would be one hell of an opening statement from Liverpool’s new sporting director

Three cheers for Jorg Schmadtke’s successor to the sporting director role, Richard Hughes, if he manages to pull off this signing. The likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich were thought to be seriously keen on the Euros winner, though opted to stay put instead at the club he’s been part of since the age of 12.

Whilst Zubimendi isn’t the finished product yet, it still ticks a lot of boxes in terms of what we were looking for in a “Slot” No.6.

The Dutch head coach utilised a range of players in the position in question over the course of pre-season, with Ryan Gravenberch perhaps impressing most in the deep six role.

It’s indicative of the importance given to the position, however, that Liverpool have instead saw fit to source a specialist option to fill the gap rather than turn to one of their immediate talents in the squad.