Liverpool have made a £15.7 million bid for Real Madrid star Asier Illarramendi after earlier having a offer rejected, reports MARCA.
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The Reds had earlier seen £10.7 million get turned down, but it is thought the Bernabeu hierarchy are happy with this second offering. It will now be down to new manager Rafael Benitez whether or not to let the 25-year-old go to his former club.
The Spain international joined Los Blancos back in 2013 for around £25 million, but has failed to make an impact with the La Liga giants. In the two seasons since he has played 82 times, but 47 of those appearances have come from the substitutes’ bench. Xabi Alonso and now Toni Kroos have played ahead of him, and it looks unlikely that he will overhaul his competitors. Especially after fellow defensive midfielder Lucas Silva arrived last January.
The Merseyside club are chasing the midfielder as they look to prepare for life without Anfield legend Steven Gerrard. The 35-year-old is joining MLS side LA Galaxy after 17 years as the team’s talisman, and will take quite some replacing. Manager Brendan Rodgers has already brought in England international James Milner who can play in the middle of the park, and Illarramendi could further bolster the position.
Emre Can has also hinted that he will be moving back in to midfield according to the Daily Mail, as they look to challenge for Champions League qualification without one of their best players. The German spent much of the last campaign playing as part of a back three.