Liverpool‘s hopes of signing Asier Illarramendi from Real Madrid this summer look in doubt following reports in Italy that Juventus are in pole position to land the talented deep-lying playmaker.
The Serie A giants are in the transfer market for a midfielder after selling both Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal to New York City and Bayern Munich respectively earlier in the window, while new signing Sami Khedria has had his injury problems during pre-season.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Old Lady have opened talks with last season’s Liga BBVA runners-up for Illarramendi and look to be leading the race ahead of the Merseyside outfit for the ex-Real Sociedad midfielder’s signature.
The 25-year-old’s future with Los Blancos is uncertain at the moment following the arrival of Mateo Kovacic earlier in the week from Inter Milan and with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro all fighting for two central midfield spots this season, it appears Illarramendi will find first-team opportunities limited should be decide to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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