Liverpool in advanced talks to sign £8.5m La Liga star as Gerrard replacement

Liverpool are reportedly keen to push through a deal to sign £8.5m-rated Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi this summer, with the Reds close to sealing the move.

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Liverpool FC blog

The Spaniard has struggled to impress since moving to the Bernabeu from Real Sociedad last season, finding himself behind plenty of high class competition in the Spanish giants’ midfield.

Still, Illarramendi could have a role to play at Anfield next season, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for a quality signing to help replace the departing Steven Gerrard, who is leaving for a move to MLS giants LA Galaxy at the end of this campaign.

It remains to be seen if Illarramendi is good enough to fill the void left by Liverpool’s legendary captain, but it seems Rodgers is dead set on sealing this deal quickly, according to the Metro.

However, one stumbling block is that Real are still holding out for a fee closer to £10m for the 25-year-old’s services.