Liverpool will return with an improved offer for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi.
Liverpool have tabled a second offer for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, according to the Mirror . .
It was reported by spanish newspaper Marca that Liverpool had made an initial offer of a 15 million for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi. That bid was quickly rejected but the report claims that “sources close to Real say the club have now received an offer of A?15m plus add-ons”. Marca had earlier claimed that an increased offer was likely to be accepted by Los Blancos.
The Merseysiders were linked with a summer move for the player in February, according to the usually reliable Spanish newspaper El Confidencial. The paper claimed that Liverpool were going consult former Reds and Madrid player Xabi Alonso before lodging a bid for the player. And sure enough, reports in Spain have emerged that the player is being targeted by the Reds.
Illarramendi is out of favor at Real Madrid and while he can hope for a second chance under Rafa Benitez, it is unlikely that with Modric and Kroos in the squad, he will.
The highly rated player started his career at Real Sociedad before moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. He signed a six-year contract with Los Blancos for a fee of a 32.2 million, the highest amount paid by the club for a Spanish player. His game has been compared to Xabi Alonsoa s, due to both the players having a similar passing style, along with that of threading impressive through balls for the attackers, linking up play with impressive finesse.
Illarramendi’s style has been compared to Xabi Alonso’s because he is more than a defensive midfielder (a shielder of defence). He is someone who relies more on the intelligence of his game with interceptions and a great range of passing. He is a deep lying playmaker, like Alonso and not a proper defensive midfielder Liverpool have needed since the departure of Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool played with a deep lying playmaker in the form of Steven Gerrard in the very successful 2013/14 season and with the player’s departure, Illarramendi would seamlessly fit in, in the role. However, his arrival would mean Emre Can, who has wanted to shift to the midfield after a season in the defence might have to fight for his spot.