Six months after snubbing Liverpool, Spain’s Euros-winning midfielder is now firmly on Pep Guardiola’s radar as City looks to bolster their midfield.

Manchester City is gearing up for a significant January transfer push as it sets its sights on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. In a deal reportedly valued at £50.3 million, the Premier League champions are keen to lure the Spanish midfielder to the Etihad Stadium, just six months after he rejected a move to Liverpool.

The 25-year-old midfielder, a key player for Sociedad, had been on Liverpool’s transfer radar during the summer window. In fact, he was on the brink of joining the Merseyside club before making a surprising U-turn, opting to stay at his boyhood team. At the time, Zubimendi expressed his loyalty to Sociedad, stating, “The best solution is staying. I want to grow and develop here.” However, recent developments suggest that the Spaniard may now have a change of heart.

Sources close to the player reveal that Zubimendi is increasingly open to the idea of testing himself in the Premier League, which has put Manchester City on high alert. The Citizens are in desperate need of reinforcements in midfield, especially following the devastating injury to their star defensive midfielder, Rodri.

Rodri, who played a crucial role in City’s treble-winning campaign last season, was sidelined after rupturing his ACL during a heated clash against Arsenal in September. With the 28-year-old Spaniard ruled out for the remainder of the season, City’s defensive midfield options have been severely weakened. The absence of Rodri’s presence on the pitch has been painfully evident, as Pep Guardiola’s side recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton—marking their fourth consecutive loss.

Zubimendi, who has been instrumental for both club and country, could prove to be an ideal solution to City’s midfield crisis. The Real Sociedad star was notably involved in Spain’s triumphant Euros campaign, coming on as a substitute for Rodri during the thrilling 2-1 final victory over England. His composure, tactical awareness, and ability to control the tempo of the game have earned him widespread admiration across Europe.

Guardiola, a long-time admirer of technically gifted players, sees Zubimendi as the perfect candidate to fill the void left by Rodri’s injury. The duo’s existing chemistry, honed during their time together with the Spanish national team, offers the tantalising prospect of a formidable partnership in City’s midfield once Rodri makes his return.

However, there is a significant hurdle standing in City’s way: Zubimendi’s deep ties to his current club. Despite recent murmurs of him being open to a move, the Spanish international has always been vocal about his dedication to Real Sociedad. It remains to be seen whether City can persuade him to swap the Basque Country for Manchester, especially given his previous reluctance to leave.

Yet, Guardiola is reportedly confident that the allure of the Premier League, combined with the opportunity to compete for major trophies, could sway Zubimendi’s decision. City’s management is eager to avoid any further slip-ups this season, especially with Arsenal and Liverpool posing a serious challenge for the title.

If City manage to secure Zubimendi’s signature, it could be a game-changer for their ambitions this season. His addition would not only provide a temporary fix for Rodri’s absence but also strengthen the team’s depth in the long run. The prospect of pairing Zubimendi with Rodri once the latter recovers would offer Guardiola a versatile and dynamic midfield, capable of dominating games both defensively and offensively.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, City are expected to intensify their pursuit of Zubimendi. However, they will need to act swiftly, as interest in the player is likely to intensify if he remains open to a move. For now, all eyes are on whether the La Liga star will finally take the leap into the Premier League, or if his loyalty to Real Sociedad will once again prevail.