Liverpool are reportedly “closing in” on the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi.

According to Metro, the unwanted Real player is still a target for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, as he looks to bolster his central midfield following the departure of Steven Gerrard.

The recent arrival at the Bernabeu of Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic has likely pushed Illarramendi further back in the pecking order under new boss Rafael Benitez, as the Real squad is now packed with quality midfielders, per football writer Cristian Nyari:

The 25-year-old Spaniard has failed to make a name for himself in Madrid since his €32.2 million (£22.7 million) move from Real Sociedad in 2013.

As noted by Marca‘s Ruben Vegas, Real are more than happy to let him go if a decent offer is made.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague reported that the La Liga giants have yet to receive an offer for Illarramendi:

However, Liverpool are seemingly willing to change that, as Rodgers looks to finalise his summer dealings with the transfer window drawing to a close.

While Illarramendi has failed at Real, he has barely been given a chance. He could flourish at Liverpool if given first-team opportunities, as he would provide an efficient shield for the Reds’ vulnerable defence while his excellent distribution skills could be an asset in attack.

Another potential midfield option for Liverpool is Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta. The Italy international recently admitted he was open to a move away from the Parc des Princes despite PSG‘s president saying he is not for sale, per Metro‘s Tom Olver:

I know my importance in the team, but the club don’t think like that. I respect what the president has said, even if I don’t agree with him. The transfer window is open. We’re going to see—I’m open to every situation. We have to find an agreement for the good of the club. The important thing is not me, the hierarchy or the players. The important thing is the club. I don’t like to speak like that—I always talk about the team. But now we have a situation where I have to think about myself.

Olver reported that Rodgers is “an avid admirer of the 32-year-old,” and he may yet go in for Motta before the closure of the transfer window.

Certainly, Motta would bring huge experience to the Anfield midfield which is missing following Gerrard’s recent departure.

Per French outlet Le Parisien (h/t Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson), the former Barcelona player’s main grievance is with his relatively lowly pay package at PSG:

Thus, he could well be persuaded away by Liverpool if they put a good enough offer on the table. 

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