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Having identified the midfield as being in need of an extra body, Arne Slot pushed hard to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

But having been put under pressure to stay by his boyhood club, Zubimendi rejected Liverpool.

Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images

When Slot first arrived and took a look at the Liverpool squad in pre-season, it is clear why he wanted Zubimendi.



Although it is worth noting that perhaps neither would have offered what Slot was looking for.

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Zubimendi clearly did.

And after the Euro 2024 winner said ‘no’ to Liverpool, Slot and the recruitment team reportedly decided that nobody else fitted the bill.

Except, as was revealed earlier this May, that was not the complete truth.

Eight months on from Zubimendi’s rejection, it was reported that Liverpool considered a move for Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller last summer.

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The Reds are said to have thought about an approach for Stiller after learning that Zubimendi would be staying put.

Although they seemingly decided not to bid for the Germany international, Liverpool have been linked with Stiller ahead of this summer’s window.

It’s easy to see why Liverpool would want to sign Stiller.

The 24-year-old has developed into an excellent midfielder after leaving Bayern Munich in 2021.

AppearancesMinutesGoalsAssistsPass AccuracyDuels WonTackles WonAngelo Stiller 312,7271889.9%57.5%55.1%Martin Zubimendi322,6892184.1%57.9%52.9%Angelo Stiller vs Martin Zubimendi Bundesliga/La Liga 2024/25

We have previously put Stiller forward as an ideal signing to play back-up to Ryan Gravenberch and we still believe that to be the case.

Stiller reportedly has a £34m release clause in his contract and if Liverpool do still fancy bringing a new midfielder in, they’d do very well to find better for cheaper.
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