“I warned him not to join Manchester United, but he went and accepted their offer. Let’s see if his career won’t end like that of Antony and Casemiro,” Manchester City star Rodri confirmed that his £60M Spanish teammate has agreed to personal terms with Manchester United to join next week.
Manchester City star Rodri recently disclosed that he advised his teammate against joining Manchester United, warning that his career might follow a similar trajectory to Antony and Casemiro if he accepted their offer. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that Rodri’s £60 million Spanish teammate has agreed on personal terms with Manchester United and is set to join next week.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United is preparing an initial bid of £37.8 million to acquire Martin Zubimendi, a player who has a £50.5 million release clause in his contract with Real Sociedad.
The Red Devils are keen to find a midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo, and the Spanish international Zubimendi has emerged as a prime target. As reported by the Catalan outlet Nacional, Jim Ratcliffe is spearheading the effort with an opening offer of €45 million (£37.8 million) to secure Zubimendi’s transfer to Manchester United during the summer window.
Currently 25 years old, Zubimendi’s contract with Real Sociedad runs for another three years, and it includes a release clause valued at £50.5 million (€60 million). The reports indicate that Real Sociedad, also known as the Txuri-Urdin, will only agree to let Zubimendi go if the full amount of the release clause is met.
Zubimendi is a versatile midfielder, primarily playing as a defensive midfielder or deep-lying playmaker, but he is also capable of performing effectively in a central midfield role. In the previous season, the Spanish international, who has earned six caps, made 31 appearances in La Liga and contributed directly to five goals.
He is currently part of the Spain squad competing in the European Championships, so any potential transfer will likely be finalized after the tournament concludes next month.
Manchester United is in need of a high-quality defensive midfielder, or regista, to replace Casemiro, and Zubimendi is considered an excellent candidate to partner with Mainoo in the midfield.
What do you think? Should Manchester United activate the £50.5 million release clause to bring Martin Zubimendi to Old Trafford?