Manchester United are ready to challenge Barcelona as both clubs eye Real Sociedad star Martín Zubimendi.
The Spanish midfielder has already become a key figure for his club with his performances attracting attention from Europe's heavyweights. Xavi is a big admirer of Zubimendi, who has been capped for his country, and wants to bring him to the Nou Camp.
United though are also tracking the 23-year-old, according to Mundo Deportivo, as they consider making more additions to their midfield ranks. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were added in the summer, but Zubimendi would offer some added youth to Erik ten Hag's outfit.
The issue facing both Barcelona and the Red Devils is the contract recently signed by the Sociedad star. He has penned a new deal at the Anoeta until 2027, which also includes a €60m release clause. It is also understood that the figure will increase to €65m if anyone wants to make a January swoop.
Sociedad are confident of keeping Zubimendi beyond January but are aware of the possibility of losing him to the Premier League beyond that. The midfielder is a product of the club's academy and played in both Europa League matches against United this term, including the win at Old Trafford.
His displays have drawn comparisons with Xabi Alonso, who was in charge of Sociedad's B side. The World Cup winner began his career with the Basque club and saw Zubimendi blossom into a first-team regular.
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Alonso said on the midfielder: “Martín’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis. I loved working with him.”
Zubimendi was equally as complimentary about Alonso, who has now left to take up the main job with Bayer Leverkusen. He told the Guardian : “With him, I learned to recognise and differentiate [types of] presses, overcoming them. Before then, I played the way that more or less came naturally. With him I started to truly understand concepts for bringing the ball out, building play. He insisted a lot on the analysis. We would walk it through, inflatables positioned where the opposition would be.”
Both Barcelona and United are well stocked in the middle of the park. Xavi is currently trying to give Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong sufficient game time. Ten Hag meanwhile is having to juggle the likes of Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.
