Martin Zubimendi: Man City to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" amid transfer interest

The Citizens have been tipped to delve into the January transfer market to recruit reinforcements as Pep Guardiola is currently working with a squad down to its bare bones amidst a growing injury crisis.

Arguably the biggest absentee for City is star lynchpin Rodri, who is ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he sustained in September.

Rodri recently revealed that he has 'challenged himself' to participate in club games before the end of the current season, although a return before Man City's FIFA Club World Cup campaign next July seems unlikely at this stage.

The reigning Premier League champions have been credited with an interest in a host of midfielders in recent weeks, including Rodri's Spanish teammate Zubimendi, who continues to be linked with an exit from Real Sociedad.

Liverpool, who failed to sign Zubimendi last summer, are also understood to have a long-standing interest in the midfielder, while the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona are also believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.

Zubimendi to Man City in January?

According to Spanish news outlet Cope, Zubimendi's €60m (£49.9m) release clause is 'not an obstacle' for interested parties including Man City.

Several journalists have shared their views on the 25-year-old's situation, including Ander Iturralde who has refused to rule out an approach from Man City in January.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they came to sign him in the winter market," said Iturralde.

Cope Gipuzkoa's head of football Marco Antonio Sande feels that the interested suitors in Zubimendi may consider negotiating only with the player and not directly with Real Sociedad.

"Those clubs that are considering signing Zubimendi are not going to deal with Real, they are going to deal directly with the player," said Sande.

"A long and hard winter" coming for Real Sociedad?

In addition, journalist Giovanni Batista has claimed that Man City's interest in Zubimendi will be 'diluted easily' and that could therefore be a concern for Real Sociedad.

"Manchester City are going to give us (Real Sociedad) a long and hard winter," Batista added.

Zubimendi has spent his entire senior career with Real Sociedad and has made a total of 204 appearances in all competitions since and including his debut in 2019.

The Spaniard, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, has played down suggestions that he is keen to leave the Reale Arena, where he is under contract until June 2027.