The Daily Mirror are claiming this afternoon that the Reds have made a second offer for Real Madrid’s out of favour midfielder Asier Illarramendi, believed to be worth around £15m plus add-ons.
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Hang on, when did we make a first offer? Well, according to the report, Brendan Rodgers has already had a £10.6m bid for the 25-year-old rejected and has now returned with an improved package.
The Mirror state that we’re currently awaiting a response from the Spanish giants, who now have former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez at their helm. Benitez has been quiet in the transfer window thus far but Rodgers is hoping that the ex-Naploi, Inter Milan and Chelsea boss might be tempted into selling.
Illarramendi has struggled to make a sustained impact since moving to the club from Real Sociedad two years ago and reportedly wants a resolution to his current situation this summer – either in the shape of a transfer or the promise of a more prominent role for Madrid next season.
The Spanish youth-team international is one of a host of defensive midfield players linked with the Reds this summer, as Rodgers eyes up a possible replacement for departed captain Steven Gerrard.
Would you take Illarramendi at Anfield next season? Let us know.