Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has finally broken his silence on the ongoing rumors surrounding Martin Zubimendi, revealing that the talented Spaniard ultimately decided not to join the Merseyside club.
Zubimendi, 25, has garnered a reputation as one of the top defensive midfielders in recent years and had previously been linked with FC Barcelona. Liverpool identified him as the ideal candidate to bolster their midfield, but despite their best efforts, the player chose not to move to Anfield.
“I’ve mentioned many times that our squad is very strong, and it’s not easy to find players who can improve it,” Slot told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Ipswich this Saturday.
“Zubimendi was one of those rare players who could make a difference, but he decided against joining. We will move forward with the squad we have. (Wataru) Endo has shown promise during pre-season, and we’re in a good place.”
Slot also confirmed that Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, has been actively seeking new signings but respects Zubimendi’s decision to stay away.
“We did everything possible to bring him in. If a player chooses not to come, it’s clear he’s not coming,” Slot added.
Despite finishing third last season behind Arsenal and Manchester City, Slot is confident that Liverpool can challenge for the Premier League title, even without significant reinforcements.
“There’s this strange notion that if you don’t strengthen the team, you become weaker. I disagree,” Slot said.
“We believe that improvement can also come from within, through training and development on the pitch. We’ve seen it happen here over recent years. Continuously bringing in new players can sometimes drain the energy from the group.”