Asier Illarramendi Transfer Targeted by Liverpool, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid fringe player Asier Illarramendi, although a summer bid is far more likely than a last-gasp deal in January.

According to El Confidencial (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star), the Reds hierarchy are weighing up an £18 million bid for the 24-year-old defensive midfielder, but they want to consult with Xabi Alonso before making any move.

The former Red played with Illarramendi at the Bernabeu before moving to Bayern Munich in the summer, and he could likely give valuable insight into the former Real Sociedad man's value.

Illarramendi has failed to break into the Madrid first team since his arrival in 2013 and has started only four league games this season, per WhoScored.com.

The recent arrival of Lucas Silva at the Bernabeu is likely to reduce his playing time even more, and a January move had been expected, per Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez:

However, the player himself rejected a move to Athletic Bilbao in order to stay at Real and fight for a first-team place, per talkSPORT.

Should he spend much of the second half of the season on the bench—which is likely, considering his perceived place in the squad, per Spanish football writer Dermot Corrigan—he may be open to a move in the summer:

Wilson's report suggests the Spaniard may partially fill the Steven Gerrard-shaped hole set to appear in the Liverpool side when their skipper departs for MLS in the summer.

Indeed, while Illarramendi has not really had a chance to prove himself consistently at Real, he is a fine player with terrific defensive and passing acumen, and he is improving steadily, per Opta:

The Reds may face competition from Arsenal, as the Gunners having been strongly linked with the Real midfielder, per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

Equally, Illarramendi will not come cheap, as Real will want to recoup as much of the €32.2 million (£24 million) they paid for him in 2013.

Elsewhere, Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror reports that the Reds are set to make a late offer to get Winston Reid from West Ham United in the current transfer window.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With the 26-year-old's Upton Park contract set to expire in the summer, the Reds are reportedly lining up a£6.5 million bid for the defender, which Stammers suggests could be enough to tempt West Ham to part with their man.

In truth, while Liverpool have had their defensive issues this season, manager Brendan Rodgers would be well advised to wait until the summer to add to his back line, as Reid may not be the ideal signing for the Reds.

Rodgers' setup is currently working well with a back three of Emre Can, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho, and Liverpool should look to add a suitable defender in the summer rather than panic buying in January.