Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Asier Illarramendi and Carlos Bacca Rumours

Liverpool are "strongly pushing" to sign Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, according to reports.

Jaime Martin of Marca suggests the Reds have made a €22 million (approximately £15.7 million) offer for the Spaniard after having their initial attempt of €15 million (approximately £10.7 million) rejected.

Martin believes Los Blancos are "happy" with this number but that the player's future rests on the decision of new boss Rafa Benitez.

"If the manager gives the deal the all-clear, Illarramendi will become a Liverpool player," writes Martin. "If not, the ex-Napoli boss will state the player is not up for sale, and Illarra will stay at Real Madrid for another season."

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Liverpool fans can hope Benitez's association with the club will see him do them a favour. He put together one of the best central midfield combinations in the side's history—Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano—during his six-year tenure at Anfield.

With the last two names long gone, current manager Brendan Rodgers has also waved goodbye to captain Gerrard, who joins Los Angeles Galaxy next month. A midfield leader is needed to work alongside Jordan Henderson.

Illarramendi is a tidy player who showed plenty of quality during his previous spell with Real Sociedad. Madrid's first team has proved too difficult for him to consistently penetrate, but he could become a dominant force on Merseyside. The 25-year-old is physical and possesses natural distribution skills, ensuring he could keep things ticking in Rodgers' centre.

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Rodgers has plenty of reinforcements to land despite the early captures of James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez, as Chris Shaw of the club's website reported.

Fresh blood is desperately needed up front, especially if Liverpool are prepared to accept a £40 million bid (without add-ons) for versatile forward Raheem Sterling, as the Daily Star's Steve Millar reported.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo believes the club "have no intention" of matching the £32.5 million buyout clause of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, a player whom WhoScored recently compared to Ings:

Pearce indicated the club have switched their attention to Sevilla's Carlos Bacca and Zenit St Petersburg hitman Salomon Rondon.

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However, Sevilla sporting director Monchi has confirmed Bacca's £21.5 million buyout clause must be met for Bacca to leave the club, per Daniel Prescott of the MailOnline:

"

If someone wants Bacca, they have to pay his clause. He's told us that it's his desire to stay with the club and I don't see any other possibility. Bacca's contract includes obligations for the club and the player, but if a club wants to pay his clause, there's nothing we can do about that. I really think he'll stay here because the player and Sevilla want it so. We have no intention of selling him.

"

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Bacca racked up 20 La Liga goals in 37 appearances, netting seven in 15 Europa League displays, including two in the side's triumphant final appearance, per WhoScored.com. He is yet to score at this year's Copa America but did pick up a red card for pushing Brazil forward Neymar.

Rondon would "cost around £15 million," according to Pearce. He netted 13 in 26 appearances during the recent Russian Premier League season and also scored Venezuela's winner in the 1-0 triumph over Colombia at the Copa America.

B/R UK's Graham Ruthven recently discussed what the summer ahead could hold for Liverpool:

The Reds' main objective for the 2015-16 season is obvious: qualify for the Champions League. Players such as Benteke—those just outside the club's current price range—would be attained with consistent participation in the European competition.

Rodgers is wise to pick his signings carefully, though. He has already bolstered the squad with four captures but needs to continue working on improving his first team. Sterling's sale would significantly impact the process.