Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Liverpool remain in talks with Real Sociedad about a deal for Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The 25-year-old has a release clause of 60m euros (£51.5m) but that would need to be paid in one full instalment if the Reds were to activate it.

However, Liverpool are discussing the structure of a deal with Sociedad, and any move also depends on Zubimendi's decision.

Any delay is not understood to relate to the Anfield side trying to include players as part of a potential transfer.

Zubimendi, who has been at Sociedad since 2011, has travelled with his club on a pre-season trip to Germany and was named as a substitute in their friendly against Union Berlin on Friday.

He has been identified as a target by Liverpool as they look to make their first major signing under new manager Arne Slot.

Zubimendi was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 and came on as a second-half substitute for Manchester City's Rodri when his country beat England 2-1 in the final.