Liverpool Transfer News: Asier Illarramendi Exit Looms Amid Arsenal Rumours

Real Madrid look set to part ways with Liverpool target Asier Illarramendi after he was left out of the squad for the La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon; manager Rafa Benitez decided to opt for new-man Mateo Kovacic instead of the former Real Sociedad midfielder.

According to Marca (h/t Jack Watts of the Daily Star) Liverpool are “very interested in signing him” while Arsenal have also been linked with a move in the past. Jaime Martin of Marca writes that Sociedad will do their utmost to bring Illarramendi back to the Anoeta, but the Reds are “at the front of the queue” as things stand.

Liverpool could certainly do with some reinforcements in defensive midfield. Here’s a look at why Illarramendi would fit the bill:

While the Spanish star isn’t an orthodox destroyer, at his best he’s a wonderful controller of matches. Illarramendi is an astute reader of the game, possesses a marvellous range of passing and supreme footballing intelligence. But much of that has been forgotten during his time on the fringes of the Real Madrid first team.

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The chance to rejoin Sociedad, where he was so impressive in the 2012-13 campaign, would likely be appealing to the player. Still, Liverpool should be doing all they can to try and lure him to Anfield as he’d fill a major void in the squad and bring something completely different to the first XI.

Bleacher Report’s Liverpool correspondent Matt Ladson thinks the team needs to add a holding midfielder this summer if Brendan Rodgers is to oversee a strong season:

"

This use of Henderson completely restricts his game. Rodgers’ refusal to get a decent DM will be his downfall.

— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) August 9, 2015"

Indeed, running the rule over this Liverpool squad, there are few orthodox options to sit at the base of midfield. Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Joe Allen are all more comfortable a little further forward. Lucas Leiva has been linked with a move away from the club, with Besiktas apparently set to take the Brazilian on loan, per Adam Shergold of the MailOnline.

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As we can see here courtesy of OptaCan, his defensive instincts will be tough to replace when you look at the current personnel:

Granted, Illarramendi is not a player who will charge about the pitch putting in tackles, but he knows the position well. At the moment, should Lucas leave, it’s a case of square pegs in round holes for the Reds in this area of the field. Illarramendi is a player who could ease those concerns with his superb playmaking skills.

It’s vital he does go in search of a new challenge too. Another season at Real Madrid would be to the massive detriment of the midfielder’s overall development. The chance to join a team like Liverpool would surely appeal to Illarramendi. It’d be a deal which would suit all parties and provide a talented footballer with a chance to remind us all just how good he is.