Liverpool have been rejected by a few players in the past and all of it was played out in public.

The Reds might be dominating the transfer market this summer but that has not always been the case.

Over the years they have, rather publicly, made bids for players that have even been accepted, only to then be rejected by the player themselves.

Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both did this to eventually move to Chelsea, but the latest, and perhaps most high profile, was Martin Zubimendi.

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The Spaniard accepted a move to Anfield in the summer of 2024, only to go back on his decision and stay at Real Sociedad.

A year on, he has joined Liverpool’s close rivals for the title Arsenal and has also revealed the real reason why he turned down the chance to join Arne Slot’s side.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

If the Reds go all in for a player and are prepared to pay good money for their services, it is highly likely that they are confident in sealing the deal.

However, Zubimendi’s rejection came as a huge surprise to everyone in football, none more so than Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards.

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Now, the midfielder has spoken out for the first time and said why he actually changed his mind last minute, with the 26-year-old believing that he simply was not ready.

I wanted to stay at La Real, but when offers come in, you start thinking about your options,” Zubimendi told The Athletic.

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“The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave — and it wasn’t the right time.

I felt La Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying was the best decision.”

To make matters worse, the Spaniard has decided to join Arsenal less than a year later, something that will anger the Liverpool fans even more.

He has now gone from a potential Red fan favourite to public enemy number one, so it will be interesting to hear the reception he gets when he turns up at Anfield for the first time next season.

Liverpool fans would be lying if they said they were not a little bit gutted about not signing Zubimendi, but all’s well that ends well.

Due to being short in the defensive midfielder department, Ryan Gravenberch got his chance in this position, and he certainly took it.

The Dutchman made that position his own and went from a bit-part player to an essential cog in Slot’s winning machine.

He also won Premier League Young Player of the Year for his outstanding performances, highlighting how the Reds perhaps did not miss out as much as they thought they would have.


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