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HARD BALL
Martín Zubimendi ordered to pay his own £51m Real Sociedad release clause at LaLiga offices to seal Liverpool transfer
Such a move would put Zubimendi in an awkward position
LIVERPOOL have told Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to trigger his own release clause, according to reports.
That comes after the two clubs hit a stumbling block over a fee.
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All players are required to have a release clause in their contract in accordance with Spanish law.
But activating a Spanish clause can be far from simple, and does not work in the same way that clauses do in other European leagues.
In the case of Zubimendi, his £51million clause can only be activated by himself, meaning he would have to deposit Liverpool's funds to LaLiga's offices in Madrid.
Such a move is a rare occurrence as it can damage the relationship between the player and the club they are departing from.
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As a youth product of Sociedad, Zubimendi would be reluctant to hurt his relationship with both the club and their fans.
Manchester United utilised a similar clause when they signed Ander Herrera in 2014, with Herrera paying his release fee himself.
report that Liverpool are keen to bring an end to the transfer saga and would like the player to trigger his own release clause.
Sociedad are playing hard ball having already sold Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid for £25m.
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They may also lose Mikel Merino to Arsenal for a similar fee.
They would be reticent to lose Le Normand, Zubimendi and Merino in the same window given they are three of the team's most important players.
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LIVERPOOL'S new manager Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands' big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 - a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
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It appears as though they are taking the position that if they are to lose Zubimendi, it should look as though their hand was forced.
Both clubs will be keen to have a final decision by the time they begin their respective seasons.
Liverpool start their new Premier League campaign against Ipswich on Saturday, with Sociedad facing Rayo Vallecano in their season opener the following day.
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Chelsea are eyeing up a shock move for Joao Felix after Samu Omorodion's move to Stamford Bridge collapsed.
In other news, Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Elsewhere, Martin Zubimendi is a target of Liverpool's this summer, and the Reds could decide to trigger his £53million release clause soon, according to reports.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.
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