Asier Illarramendi is set to become surplus to requirements at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has emerged as a realistic transfer target for Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, report the Daily Star, with the former Real Sociedad man set to lose his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad on account of the impending arrival of young Brazilian Lucas Silva at the Bernabeu.
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Young midfielder Silva is reportedly set to join Real Madrid from Brasileiro outfit Cruzeiro and, with the two playing in a similar defensively minded role, Illarramendi is likely to find his Bernabeu position marginalised further, especially as the youngster has never quite made the grade in Madrid since his move from San Sebastian.
Illarramendi was one of the highest rated young midfield talents in Europe when he made the big move to Madrid, meaning that there is unlikely to be a shortage of suitors if Real do decide to make the Spanish international surplus to requirements.
Manchester United and Liverpool are both linked with a move by the Star report, with both sides believed to be on the lookout for midfield reinforcements – the Reds have a particular need due to the impending departure of long-serving captain Steven Gerrard.