Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on James Milner and Asier Illarramendi Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly won the race to sign Manchester City star James Milner when the 2014/15 season comes to a close.

That’s according to David Anderson of the Daily Mirror, who says that the England international will snub the advances of Arsenal in favour of switching to Anfield.

Milner is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign, and although he’s been given plenty of first-team chances this term, it’s seemingly time to move on.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Although primarily deployed as a winger, the 29-year-old’s favoured position is in the middle of the park, and he’ll be hoping to fill the hole left by skipper Steven Gerrard when he departs.

Gerrard, whose final game at Anfield ended with a crushing 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, will head to LA Galaxy next term, but he’s called for the Liverpool powers-that-be to give manager Brendan Rodgers licence to spend—per Sky Sports:

“I’m hoping the owners will back Brendan again, and bring in that bit of quality that help us go one step further next year. I think we’ve done okay (this season) but I think next year we can go one better.”

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

While Milner will be a free transfer for Liverpool should he make the switch, Anderson noted that he’ll set the Reds back £100,000 per week.

Nothing is concrete just yet, however, and although the Mirror claim that Milner has decided against a switch to Arsenal, former striker Alan Smith has heard a little different:

Still, Liverpool will undoubtedly do everything in their power to get Milner to Anfield, and despite the fact that he’s not the most glamorous signing in the world, he does a job like no other player around.

The one concern will be that Milner hasn’t exactly proven himself in the heart of midfield, and should he head to Merseyside and fail to live up to his billing, the Reds will have yet another talented winger warming the bench.

Asier Illarramendi

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Another candidate to fill the sizeable boots of Gerrard is Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi, who was officially put up for sale by Real—per Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People, via the Daily Mirror.

Hopkinson wrote that Liverpool have been tracking the midfielder for a long time now, and they are ready to offer £8.5 million to secure his services.

Real, however, are reportedly hoping to bank around £10 million for the 25-year-old, yet Liverpool will likely be willing to meet their demands.

Illarramendi is undoubtedly a talented player, but he’s something of a laughing stock at the Bernabeu, with many criticising him:

Unfairly so, too, as the Spaniard has demonstrated his class on endless occasions in the white shirt.

He is the kind of player who simply keeps play ticking over while in possession and hustles when on the back foot. That isn’t quite glamorous enough for the hostile Real Madrid fans, but it would certainly be useful for the Reds.

However, we could see Emre Can given a more prominent role in the heart of midfield next season, which could mean Illarramendi’s chances will be few and far between at Anfield.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Would the Spaniard leave Real Madrid to sit on another club’s bench? Probably not, so unless first-team football can be assured, Illarramendi won’t be in red next season.

Rodgers does indeed need to invest in a new midfielder, but 99 per cent of his focus should be on landing a new striker.

Misfiring front men have cost the Reds dearly this season, and while Milner and Illarramendi would be smart investments, Rodgers needs to start from the top.