Liverpool Transfer News: Asier Illarramendi Wants Elite Move, Latest Rumours

Liverpool's hopes of securing the transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi have received a boost as the former Real Sociedad star has his doubts about moving back to the Basque Country, according to Marca (h/t Sport Witness).

The Reds face competition from Southampton, however, who are reportedly eyeing the Spaniard with a late bid, via the Daily Mail's Pete Jenson.

Sport Witness shared Marca's comments on the topic, which suggest Illarramendi is waiting for a better opportunity:

The 25-year-old left Real Sociedad for the Spanish capital in 2013 but has failed to nail down a regular starting position with Los Blancos. Last season, he started just 10 La Liga matches, per WhoScored.com.

With Casemiro returning to Madrid from loan and Mateo Kovacic also in the mix, opportunities will be even more limited in 2015-16, so it's safe to assume Illarramendi will be free to leave the club if the right offer comes along.

According to Jenson, Los Blancos prefer to sell the player immediately, and Real Sociedad are having difficulties putting together a financial package good enough to convince Real to sell. Los Blancos' asking price is reportedly £15 million.

Illarramendi was once regarded as one of Spain's top midfield prospects and a natural heir to Xabi Alonso in the Spanish capital, but a lack of opportunities has held back his development. When he has played, Illarramendi did enough to suggest he could be worth the risk, via WhoScored:

Like Alonso, he's not an overly physical holding midfielder, relying mostly on his vision and knowledge of the game to make key interceptions before the attack has a chance to develop.

He's a solid passer of the ball, although he has a tendency to shy away from pushing the ball up the pitch. Where Alonso would often dazzle fans with smart passes into areas no one saw were open, Illarramendi prefers a patient approach and won't actively force defences to provide those openings.

That said, he remains an excellent midfielder who needs a fresh start in the worst way, and while a return to his old club could be tantalising, he may have outgrown La Real in the past two years. The likes of Antoine Griezmann no longer ply their trade at the Anoeta, and David Moyes' troops are unlikely to be playing for a spot in next year's European competitions.

Liverpool could offer the midfielder European football straight away, as the Reds will be participating in this year's Europa League, while the Saints still have to survive a play-off match against FC Midtjylland.

James Milner and Jordan Henderson have formed a solid partnership in the centre of the pitch so far, and Illarramendi would be expected to compete with one of those two for a starting position at Anfield. At Southampton, he would provide insurance for Victor Wanyama, who is being watched by Tottenham Hotspur, according to Jenson.

The finances involved will likely decide how this saga plays out. For a fee of £15 million or less, Illarramendi presents solid value as an experienced midfielder with upside, but the Reds' need in midfield isn't big enough to spend a significant fee on a player who wouldn't be a guaranteed starter.

Liverpool have already conducted plenty of business during the summer window and may choose to sit tight for now, assessing the squad ahead of potential moves in the January window.

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