Liverpool are targeting Martin Zubimendi as the first signing of Arne Slot’s reign.
Zubimendi has been identified as the preferred candidate to usher in the Dutchman’s Anfield reign following a renewed search for a no.6 midfielder.
The Reds drafted in Wataru Endo last summer after missing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom elected to join Chelsea.
Alexis Mac Allister also spent large parts of the previous campaign filling the void in the deep-lying midfield role in efforts to supplement the shortfall.
Zubimendi recently enjoyed a starring role during Spain’s triumphant Euro 2204 campaign and was a second-half substitute in the final against England.
He was previously courted by Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona but stayed at Real Sociedad, whom he guided to the Champions League’s last 16.
The 25-year-old enforcer’s current release clause of €60 million (£51.6M) is not expected to be a deterrent to Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of the player.
Last month Slot claimed that the alarmingly quiet activity of his new employers in the market had been due to assessing their existing options.
“The standards are really high when it comes to bringing in new players because we have such a good team and such a good squad,” he said at the time.
“Of course (sporting director) Richard [Hughes] and me and other people as well are trying to improve the squad where possible.
“But that’s not that easy because we have so many good players.”