Liverpool could suffer brutal repeat of Jude Bellingham transfer blow

Liverpool could see history repeat itself in the transfer market, with another talented midfielder reportedly favoring a move to Real Madrid over a switch to Anfield.

The Reds were interested in signing Jude Bellingham last year, before pulling out of a deal due to the costs involved, and the England international ended up signing for Madrid in a big-money move instead. However, it's widely believed Real Madrid was always his first choice.

Now it's being reported that Liverpool's primary target during the last summer transfer window, Martin Zubimendi, is eyeing a move to the Bernabeu as well. TBR Football claims that Zubimendi's ultimate desire to join Madrid was a factor in his decision to snub a move to Anfield during the summer.

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And it is reported that Madrid is a big admirer of Zubimendi, and considers him to be a potential long-term replacement for Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. Modric will turn 40 next year, and while Madrid has a lot of talented, young midfielders on its books, none of them are in Modric's mould.

Liverpool is said to remain interested in Zubimendi, while Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham are also reportedly tracking the midfielder.

Arne Slot had earmarked Zubimendi to play in the No.6 role for Liverpool, but after missing out on the Spaniard, he has deployed Ryan Gravenberch there instead at the start of the season. The Dutch midfielder has thrived in that role, picking up several man-of-the match awards and earning plenty of praise from his manager.

Speaking after Gravenberch impressed again during the Reds' 2-1 win over Wolves at Molineux over the weekend, Slot said: "[It's] not only me [who is happy with Gravenberch's performances], I think all fans are as well - and him too! He's just very comfortable on the ball, with Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) as well and that helps the team if you want to have a possession style of play.

"If you want to have the ball and you want to keep it for as long as you can, it always helps if you have two players who are so comfortable on the ball in the holding midfielder position, and the two of them if they can run as well.

"If you think of the things that Ryan does with the ball, we don't do enough justice to his game. He does a really good job without the ball as well which surprised even me, because I know him from the Dutch league, but I think Bayern and Jurgen did a good job making him better without the ball and that's what we are taking the benefits of right now."