Much like other top European clubs, FC Barcelona are no strangers to being invested in the top players from top sides. Their recent endeavors over the last decade or so have prominently showcased the rather effective attraction the Catalan club is today for many players.
As the Catalans continue their pursuit of their current targets, such as Manchester City and Portugal national team right-back Joao Cancelo, there are those that are currently targeting players that Barcelona was in the race for as well at some point during the window.
According to Angel Lopez of Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid has reportedly sent a possible proposal to fellow Spanish side Real Sociedad for their much coveted defensive pivot, Martin Zubimendi.
As is well known by this point, Zubimendi was a particular interest of Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez’s, who believed the 24-year-old to be the ideal replacement for the departed Sergio Busquets from a stylistic and game-awareness perspective.
According to the report, the offer that Atletico Madrid have sent for the former Barcelona target is lower than his €60 million release clause. Moreover, just as Real Sociedad did with Barcelona, they have also rejected the proposal from Atletico Madrid as they point towards the clause to any team invested in buying their midfield maestro.
Moreover, it is heavily speculated and even mentioned by the player himself when linked with Barcelona, the 24-year-old does not intend to leave Real Sociedad and instead intends to compete in the UEFA Champions League with the club of his life. His focus solely lies with the Txuriurdin and he hopes to continue playing for them.
In the case of FC Barcelona, interest in Zubimendi has been put on hold at the moment given that Barca instead opted to recruit the much more feasible option of Oriol Romeu from Girona instead and will now possibly return to the case of Zubimendi sometime later.
