Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus and Asier Illarramendi Rumours

Real Madrid fans have a lot to be excited about as the rumours linking Los Merengues with Marco Reus underwent further change and Asier Illarramendi could be deemed surplus to requirements.

Anthony Chapman of the Express says Real manager Carlo Ancelotti already has medical reports on Reus, despite his target being quoted by the official Bundesliga website as outlining his Borussia Dortmund priorities:

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I think [CEO] Hans-Joachim Watzke was right when he said that what’s important for us at the moment is that we’re all fit, that I get back to full fitness and continue to work on my fitness. Right now it’s irrelevant who says what or when my contract is going to run out.

The only thing that matters is the club. It’s not about the individuals, but that we collectively work together to get ourselves out of this situation. That’s what’s important.

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Ancelotti is preparing for the free-for-all that's set to ensue once a release clause kicks into effect this summer and sees Reus' fee dropped to just £20 million, per Chapman.

Bleacher Report's Stefan Bienkowski believes the attacker will move on from Signal Iduna Park, where the Black and Yellows are in the midst of a dire campaign that sees them currently threatened by relegation:

Dortmund sit level on points with basement side Freiburg in the German top flight and it's inevitable that their top stars will be considering their futures as a result.

Real Madrid aren't the only party interested in Reus' signing, though, and Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond recently joined Ryan Bailey to discuss his potential arrival at Manchester City:

Moving from the dour mood at Dortmund to European title contention would be a major switch for the German international and it's only natural that the prospect intrigues Reus.

Bundesliga writer Ryland James recently teased the idea of his transfer, too, after Reus signed some Real Madrid shirts during Dortmund's midseason break:

Los Blancos could use the exit of Illarramendi to finance their Reus investment and Ben Jefferson of the Express wrote the holding midfielder could fetch a sum as high as £24 million if he's to leave.

Jefferson reports that Athletic Bilbao have already made an £18.5 million offer for the anchorman, but Real are holding out and Arsenal sit among those clubs linked with a big-money bid.

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Even with Luka Modric out injured, Illarramendi has found it difficult to figure prominently under Ancelotti, with Isco, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira making up the numbers.

Spanish expert Sergi Dominguez also notes that the signing of Cruzeiro star Lucas Silva would only increase the chances of Illarramendi leaving this month:

At this rate, Florentino Perez's 2013 investment is doing little more than taking up a spot in Ancelotti's squad, but the Italian may not be eager to change his squad too dramatically in such a tender part of their season.

It stands to reason that if any one player were to be sacrificed, Illarramendi would sit among the most likely contenders; a potential source of funds whose value may drop if Real decide to hang on to him for another six months.