Nico Gonzalez has shone for Porto since joining from Barcelona last summer (Image: GETTY)
‘s scouting department have reportedly been blown away by a potential alternative option to Martin Zubimendi ahead of the January transfer window.
The Reds tried and failed to bring Zubimendi to Anfield from Real Sociedad in the summer. ultimately went without a midfield signing after the Spaniard, with a £49.8million release clause in his contract, rejected a move to Merseyside.
Zubimedi this month explained: “It was an uncomfortable time for me but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay. I don’t believe in ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunities. If you’re good and want to achieve something, it will come to you.
“There’s no need to rush. I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club’s project. I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take.
“It wasn’t that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me – and that was staying.”
‘s midfield has been crucial to their success this season with Ryan Gravenberch performing at an outstanding level and Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones also impressing.
Dominik Szoboszlai was also a man of the match contender in Sunday’s 6-3 rout of which leaves the Reds four points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand, on Christmas Day.
But say are still considering reinforcements in the position and that Zubimendi remains on their radar. He is not the only midfielder on the club’s shortlist though, as Porto man Nico Gonzalez has been watched this season.
Nico Gonzalez has a release clause just shy of £50m in his Porto contract (Image: GETTY)
The Spain international, 22, only joined Porto last summer for £7m. He came through Barcelona’s academy and had a £830m (€1billion) release clause in his contract at the Nou Camp.
Barca have a buy-back clause for the Spain under-21 international which is active until June 2025 and worth just £24m. Gonzalez has produced five goals and five assists in 24 outings for Porto and the report claims ‘s scouts have been hugely impressed by Gonzalez’s performances.
Gonzalez is different stylistically to Zubimendi and would offer more of a box-to-box option. His Porto contract also includes a buyout clause, but one that is dramatically lower than his previous one in Barcelona, at £49.8m (€60m).
That makes him a similar price to his countryman Zubimendi though he is three years younger. But Real Sociedad have made it clear the 25-year-old wants to remain at San Sebastian beyond January despite links to and .
“There is little peace of mind about clauses, but in all this time Martin himself has shown us that above clauses are intentions,” sporting director Roberto Olabe said of Zubimendi.
“Until today we have already seen the behaviour that has been demonstrated, I do not anticipate that we will have any scares in January.”