Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has claimed that Martin Zubimendi didn’t reject a move to Liverpool in order to get an improved contract with the Spanish club.
The 25-year-old was the subject of interest from the Reds over the summer transfer window, with the midfielder having a €60 million (£50.6m) release clause in his contract.
Despite the interest from Liverpool, Zubimendi turned down a potential move to Anfield and instead opted to stay with Sociedad
It had been reported in the Spanish media that the club had offered him a massive new deal to convince him to stay.
Speaking at the unveiling of Nayef Aguerd and Orri Oskarsson as new signings, he revealed that there has been no contract talks between Zubimendi and the club.
Aperribay added that Zubimendi 'understood' the situation and was not angling for a new deal.
Aperribay
“There has been no conversation with Zubimendi to renew the contract,”
“There hasn’t been one now and there hasn’t been one before. He didn’t put any conditions on us.”
“He understood the moment and knew that it was a market in which some players were already going to leave, and he understood that it was time to stay at Real Sociedad.
“He has not made it a condition for us to renew nor have we talked about it. The conversation with Martín was short and quick.”
Zubimendi outlined why he chose to stay with the Spanish club ahead of moving to Liverpool.
Zubimendi
"Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. A lot of what I am is part of la Real, it is my life,"
"[Our goal to qualify for] Europe is clear. The higher the position, the better. We have to look for our best version and, above all, compete.
“To feel competitive, to be recognised and to be seen with personality."
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