07 Aug 2024 00:46:44
Ed002 says on the Liverpool site we have made an offer for zubimendi, not sure if that is more recent or older news but if be very happy if we could get him in.

1.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 09:11:46
Deffo, quality player. Thought he'd already assured his club he wouldn't leave this year, but I guess things change when a huge wad of cash is thrown in your face.

2.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 13:00:32
He's a really good player and I like him a lot. However, I'm not sure he should be an alternative to Ugarte as they are very different styled midfielders.

Ugarte is a tenacious, aggressive ball winning midfielder who is secure on the ball. He is an ideal partner to Mainoo if you want to allow Mainoo a little more freedom to progress the ball and move up the pitch. Which is probably the best role for Mainoo right now.

Zubimendi is a deep playmaker, silky on the ball, off the ball he does his defensive duties, but he isn't a ball winner. Ideally you want to pair Zubimendi with a player like Ugarte. If paired with Mainoo then we'd have a very technically secure midfield, but we would lack a little in terms of aggression and in ball winning ability.

Longer term if/ when Bruno leaves I could see us playing more of a three man midfield without a No.10, with a deeper playmaker like Zubimendi, Mainoo as a box to box player and an aggressive ball winner.

Could the plan be use Casemiro/ Collyer this season as a ball winner with Zubimendi and Mainoo and use two of those four depending on what the tactics of the game require. Then next summer look to move on Casemiro and then see if Collyer has kicked on or whether we need to go back into the market for another midfielder?

It could work, and might be a way of pivoting away from Ugarte without having to still pay big money on a lesser version of the Uruguayan.

The whole midfield issue seems like its being complicated by our inability to find buyers for the likes of Casemiro and McTominay.

I still think there is a good chance we sign Ugarte, but I do find the approach this year interesting. I like that we aren't accepting being held to ransom and are looking for/ exploring different options. Very refreshing, especially given that the people making these decisions haven't had any time to plan for this summer, and are having to deal with multiple issues at the same time.

3.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 13:11:21
Athletic reporting that Liverpool are exploring a deal…hopefully we can get him but looks like they are favourites.

4.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 14:34:53
They have said Liverpool are exploring it ed has said we've actually made a bid, livepool explored signing Leny Yoro as well.

I'll trust an actual offer over "exploring".

Based on you saying Liverpool would need to beat our offer ed can I take it this is a recent development? Was the offer accepted or are they working on the agreement?

Understand the player also may need convincing.

{Ed002's Note - No, not at all. The offer could be upped to get agreement of his club but the player does not want to move to the PL and will perhaps hang on until next summer and hope Barcelona interest returns.}

5.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 14:40:05
Ed002 - based on your comment on the Liverpool page (They would need to offer more than Manchester United and somehow persuade the player to move, when he has made it clear to Arsenal already that he is not interested in leaving. ) - I'm assuming that applies to us as well and that he is still not interested in leaving? Does make you wonder why we'd make an offer if that is the case.

Can you share who our primary midfield target (s) is now? Appeared to be Neves in the past based on your previous posts but he's no longer an option and I can't see any other recent posts about midfield options.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Yes it would likely apply - the player would need convincing.

There are targets, Ugarte but there is a major issue to do with valuation; Frenkie de Jong; Fofana but he is close to moving to Italy; Ederson; Hjulmand; Joey Veerman but there is serious interest from elsewhere; Berge ....}

6.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 14:43:01
No problem ed thanks for the info ineos seem to be willing to sell the project to the players looking at Yoro and obi-martin, maybe they can do the same with Zubimendi.

We seem to be moving through midfield options now are there any updates you could provide?

{Ed002's Note - There is nothing new.}

7.) 07 Aug 2024
07 Aug 2024 15:16:12
Only really saw him in the euros final. Looked very impressive.