Liverpool remain in talks with Real Sociedad about a deal for Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The 25-year-old has a release clause of 60m euros (£51.5m) but that would need to be paid in one full instalment if the Reds were to activate it.

However, Liverpool are discussing the structure of a deal with Sociedad, and any move also depends on Zubimendi’s decision.

Any delay is not understood to relate to the Anfield side trying to include players as part of a potential transfer.

Zubimendi, who has been at Sociedad since 2011, has travelled with his club on a pre-season trip to Germany and was named as a substitute in their friendly against Union Berlin on Friday.