Arsenal Transfer News: Asier Illarramendi Rumours, Latest on Layvin Kurzawa

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Asier Illarramendi has been cited as a potential target for Arsenal and Liverpool in the summer transfer window, but it looks as if the Premier League pairing will face some stiff competition if they’re to land the Real Madrid midfielder.

According to Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star, Spanish sources have confirmed that Real Sociedad—the club that sold Illarramendi to Los Blancos—are planning on bringing him back to the Anoeta in an £18 million deal. Anderson also suggests that Atletico Madrid are also closely monitoring the situation regarding the player.

Here’s a look at why so many clubs are reportedly interested in the 24-year-old star:

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Sadly, it’s not looking as if it’s going to work out for Illarramendi at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque playmaker is way down the midfield pecking order and plays a bit-part role in the squad. To compound matters further, the European champions brought Lucas Silva in during the midseason window, a player stylistically very similar to the Spaniard.

As noted by SPORT, even in the rare appearances Illarramendi has been handed as of late, he hasn’t pulled up any trees:

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But it’d be exceptionally harsh to judge him on a scattering of opportunities. He’s a clearly a player who’s game is all about rhythm and tempo; subsequently, regular time on the pitch is something that’s vital for Illarramendi if he is to settle into a groove. With the array of midfield men at the Bernabeu, that’s not something he’s going to get any time soon.

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The Emirates would be an ideal venue for him to flourish. Not only does he have the fundamental technical abilities to blossom amid Arsene Wenger’s ethos, but his defensive instincts would add some bite to the base of an Arsenal midfield that has been a little bit soft. The Gunners could give the Spaniard the requisite game time he needs, and as such £18 million would be a steal.

Indeed, it seems that Wenger is finally willing to address some of the longstanding issues that have hampered this team. He signed two defensively minded players in the January window, and according to reports, young Monaco defender Layvin Kurzawa remains a target for the Gunners despite apparent issues with his attitude.

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As noted by Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star, the 22-year-old left-back was recently spotted at the Manchester City vs. Bayern Munich Champions League match, prompting rumours of a move and subsequent hyperbole. But the player himself has revealed to l’Equipe, per the aformentioned piece, he was merely there as a spectator:

"

There was nothing with the club. I have not responded to not worsen the situation, but I assure you it's true.

Yes, I know, I should not have been out there. When it's a footballer you're talking about, we can't just show up in any city or at any big club. It was a mistake, but it was not to meet them.

"

Here’s a look at why Kurzawa—also a reported target for Liverpool and Chelsea according to Anderson’s piece—is such hot property:

As noted by Robin Bairner of Goal.com, the youngster did admit in the same interview that he would be looking to leave the provincial club in the near future:

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With reports claiming that Nacho Monreal could be set to leave the Emirates, per Liam Prenderville of the Mirror, Wenger could be on the lookout for a versatile left-sided defender, and Kurzawa is definitely someone who fits the bill in that sense. Getting him ahead of the aforementioned sides would be a real coup for the Gunners, too.

The Monaco man remains a little raw, but he has the class to go on and become a top-quality left-back. He’d be a fine understudy for Kieran Gibbs should Monreal leave, and as a young French player, he would surely relish the opportunity to work alongside someone like Wenger, who has such glittering reputation for refining young talent.