FA Cup winners Arsenal have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, according to reports.
Metro claims Gunners boss has a number of options he is looking at to fill the central midfield berth as the north London side look to mount a serious title challenge next season. Francis Coquelin has done a stellar job in the defensive role, but with Mikel Arteta and Matieu Flamini in the autumn of their careers, Wenger wants to bring in fresh legs.
Liverpool were thought be the favourites for Illarramendi, who has failed to progress as much as club officials hoped when they splased out 30 million euros on him to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu from Real Sociedad two years ago.
The Anfield side were reported to have bid 15 million euros for Illarramendi last week as they step up their efforts to find a long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard, who has ended his Anfield career to head to the MLS.
Illarramendi was signed as the ideal replacement for Xabi Alonso but has fallen down the pecking order at the 10-time Champions League winners. He has made 59 La Liga appearances in time time at the club, including 10 starts last season.
Please let him go even at the cheap price. He is not longer needed and useful in the current squad of real Madrid, he has not intelligency and professionalism in football. He should go and meet his mates there! We wish him all the best over there.