Liverpool star Joe Allen has been ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury, reports the BBC, in news which could prompt some more transfer activity on Merseyside.
With games against Arsenal and possibly Manchester United to come before the Wales international is fit again, Brendan Rodgers may step up his efforts to sign Real Madrid ace Asier Illarramendi. The 25-year-old has been told that he can leave Los Merengues, and the Reds are eyeing his situation, according to Fichajes [via the Metro].
The former Real Sociedad man may actually be a better option than Allen, who is unlikely to return until after the international break in September. Illarramendi has struggled to hold down a first-team spot at the Bernabeu in his two seasons, but has still made 90 appearances and helped the Blancos to win both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in 2014.
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Meanwhile, Allen has struggled to become a key player at Anfield, playing 95 times over the last three campaigns but never being a guaranteed first-choice in midfield. Indeed, with the addition of James Milner this summer he could be set for more time on the sidelines in the coming season.
Liverpool were in need of strengthening even before this injury, having finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League last time around. The departure of Steven Gerrard means that central midfield is a particular worry, and Milner is currently the only signing to have come in to bolster the area.
Emre Can could be another option to replace Allen, while the likes of Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva mean that Rodgers does still have some options to play with.