Martin Zubimendi has insisted he does not regret his decision to turn down a transfer to Liverpool in the summer. The Reds were ready to pay his release clause, but the midfielder opted to remain at Real Sociedad.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Zubimendi's side, with Real Sociedad currently down in 14th in La Liga. Meanwhile, Liverpool is flying high under Arne Slot, sitting atop the Premier League.
Plaudits which might have been going to Zubimendi are instead flying the way of Ryan Gravenberch, who is vindicating Liverpool's decision to stand firm and not pursue an alternative. But Zubimendi claims he is not casting wistful glances in the direction of Anfield.
Jamie Carragher reaction to Bukayo Saka's Arsenal title statement speaks volumes
-
I had no regrets quitting Everton - now I could get a big-money move to Liverpool
"Of course I don't regret it," he told a press conference, via Noticias de Gipuzkoa. "I can't think that after four or five games at the start of the season.
"I made my decision from within, I thought it was the best thing to do, the results don't affect me. I see potential in this team, you just have to watch us train and I'm excited about having a good season."
Zubimendi also reassured fans that the drama would not be reignited in the winter transfer window, telling them they can "rest easy". That's despite speculation that Manchester City could target him amid Rodri's season-ending injury.
So the saga appears to be at an end, at least for another season. You wonder whether Zubimendi will ever leave his boyhood club at this point, having now spurned the advances of Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich as he advances into his peak years.
Of course, Liverpool can respect that, having adored Steven Gerrard for dictating practically his entire career to Anfield. But with Real Sociedad needing to improve just to retain its place in Europe, it's hard not to think that Zubimendi belongs at a higher level sooner or later.
Whether he admits to some regret further down the line, only time will tell. But for now, Liverpool hasn't been left with any remorse either — the Slot project is continuing at full steam ahead without Zubimendi, and he might have missed his chance to board the train.
Liverpool.com says: Zubimendi was hardly going to say anything else, was he? It would have been a truly explosive press conference if he admitted to wishing he had joined Liverpool in the summer.
Even so, he didn't have to reassure fans about January, so perhaps he really is happy with his decision. If that's the case, then fair play to him — and so far, his absence has not been felt at Liverpool.
