The Madrid midfielder could still wind up at Anfield this summer
According to reports in the last 24 hours, Liverpool are not quite done yet when it comes to signing new first teamers.
The signing of Christian Benteke seemed to signal the end of Liverpool’s main business for this summer and only PSG’s Lucas Digne’s name was doing the rounds.
But Spanish paper – and Real Madrid mouthpiece – Marca are reporting that the club aren’t done yet, with a formal bid having been put on the table for Asier Illarramendi.
The Reds have held a long-time interest in the midfielder, having ear-marked him some time ago as the ideal replacement for Xabi Alonso but the player eventually chose to try his hand at breaking in at Real.
However, despite the players talents he has struggled to make much of an impact when players like Kroos and Modric are ahead of him and, as always at Real, a players worth to the team if often more based on how much they cost. Meaning that the Spaniard will always be down the pecking order.
And while Rafa has always been a big fan, it’s unlikely that the 25 year old former Sociedad player would manage to find any more games and Benitez may feel in the charitable spirit and allow his former club to take the midfielder and finally replace Alonso, whilst adding a quality player to the midfield now that Steven Gerrard has gone.
Should Rodgers move heaven and earth for Illaramendi or are the Reds already covered in midfield? Let us know your thoughts below.
This was the player that should of been our first signing this summer . This position more than any other is our weakest on the field . Its been said a million times that we have never replaced Mascherano . And still we find ourselves in the same position . Brendan Rodgers obviously does not value a Defensive midfield player otherwise this would have been dealt with long ago. It does not matter which pairing plays at centre back , without adequate cover in front of them we will always concede goals . Does anyone really think that John Terry and Gary Cahill would look so comfortable without Matic in front of them . None of the three players we have to play this role are natural DM players . Allen does not read the game well enough to play this role , Lucas reacts to danger rather than senses it before it arrives and Emre Can wants to get forward far to much . So as I stated earlier this should of been dealt with before we signed another attacking midfielder , another striker and certainly before we envisage another left back..
So if Rodgers wants to still be in a job by Christmas this position needs sorting now ..
Agreee… @mark