Liverpool in talks with Real Madrid, over £17.5m defensive midfielder deal

Liverpool are once again eyeing a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, a potential  replacement for skipper Steven Gerrard at Anfield. The 24-year-old has not been able to impress, at the Bernabéu and has been linked with former club Real Sociedad once again. The Sunday People claims that the Reds are holding preliminary talks with Real over a possible £17.5m move to bring the holding midfielder to England at the end of this season.

Illarramendi has fallen down the pecking order to Toni Kroos and Lucas Silva and will look to leave the La Liga soon, in the search of more first-team football. Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the player has no future in his squad, despite turning down a 15m offer from Athletic Bilbao in January. Liverpool want another midfield option to replace Gerrard, who is leaving for MLS side LA Galaxy in the summer and this holding midfielder could be exactly what they need.