Liverpool transfer news: Reds to make improved £16m bid for Real Madrid's Asier Illarramendi

A recent £9m bid was turned down

Monday 22 June 2015 12:52

Asier Illarramendi in action for Real Madrid

(Getty Images)

Liverpool are expected to make an improved offer of £16m for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi. The Reds' initial offer of £9m was rejected by the Spanish club.

Spanish daily newspaper Marca have reported that the decision lays in the hands of recently-appointed Real manager Rafa Benitez to approve the transfer. Benitez of course, guided Liverpool to the Champions League in 2005.

Illarramendi moved to Real from Real Sociedad for €32m back in July 2013, but has struggled in his two seasons at the Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old's price of €32m remains the most amount of money that Real have spent on a Spanish player.

Illarramendi could be Liverpool's fifth signing of the summer, after James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez.

Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com after signing, Gomez said: "It's a dream come true. It's a bit surreal and it hasn't really hit me yet. But I'm buzzing and just excited to get started.

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Show all 7

1/7Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season in Italy this year, but that has alerted a number of clubs across Europe including Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Serie A club until 2020 and will therefore cost a significant amount if he were to move this summer, but it’s believed he has the potential to become one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world if he continues his steep development curve.

Getty Images

Arsenal’s pace merchant is finding it hard to break back into the first team after recovering from the ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for over a year. With doubts over his fitness, his suitability to the current Arsenal side and whether he’s a better option compared to his team-mates, rumours have linked him with a dramatic Arsenal exit. Liverpool would be one of the teams in for the England winger, who can also play in attack, and given that his speed can terrify any defence he would be a suitable option to replace Sterling.

GETTY IMAGES

Any move for Reus appears to be hinged on firing Brendan Rodgers and hiring Jürgen Klopp, and given the noises coming out of Anfield, it’s unlikely to happen this summer. But if another transfer window goes belly-up, don’t be surprised to see Klopp at the club soon after with Reus in tow. The Germany international is a wonderfully gifted player who combines pace and skill to dazzle defences. He has struggled with a persistent ankle injury in recent months, but he would add a proven quality to the Liverpool ranks.

Getty Images

Rodgers already knows one signing he will see arrive at Anfield in the summer as Belgium striker Divock Origi will complete the permanent move he agreed last year, having spent the season on loan with Lille. Rodgers could look to revert to the tactics he deployed last season when he had Luis Suarez to pair up with Daniel Sturridge, and although Origi is nowhere near the level Suarez was at present, the Northern Irishman will hope he has unearthed a gem when he arrives in the Premier League.

GETTY IMAGES

The French forward is being courted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but Liverpool could look to show a sign of intent by launching a bid for him before their rivals. Lacazette is equally adept at playing as a striker or out wide, and it would depend on how Rodgers would choose to deploy him to where he would feature. The France international has helped Lyon secure second in Ligue 1 and will finish the season as top goalscorers barring any heroics from Andre-Pierre Gignac, who trails by six goals.

Getty Images

Menez’s brother and agent has fuelled talk of a move away from AC Milan by admitting he is likely to leave this summer, and even addressed rumours of a move to Liverpool as well as Monaco. However, at this point in time they are just rumours, and despite being able to play out wide he is more suited to an attacking role through the middle.

Getty Images

The Argentine has fallen off the radar in recent months, but his future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from certain and a move to the Premier League has always appeared on the cards. At home out wide on the wing, Lavezzi can also do a job up front, and would bring a physicality to the attack that is currently missing in Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

GETTY IMAGES

"The club has got great history and it's a great club, and one that I've always been following from when I was young.

"The style of football and the top players here was somewhere that I wanted to go and get better and learn, and play good football. It was an easy decision."

Join our new commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies