Tottenham are considering a move for Real Madrid midfielder and much-discussed Liverpool transfer target Asier Illarramendi, according to reports in The Guardian.
The Reds have been consistently linked with the 25-year-old throughout the summer, with those rumours reaching fever pitch last week when the Spanish giants signed Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan and pushed the player even further down their pecking order.
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However, there has been no official confirmation of our interest and the re-emergence of Lucas Leiva – who started Monday night’s draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium – has seemingly put any move on the back-burner.
Illarramendi was not included in the squad for Madrid’s game last weekend, leading to further speculation regarding his future, but The Guardian now believes that Tottenham, not Liverpool, are the favourites for his signature.
Spurs are reportedly desperate for a new defensive midfielder and are also interested in Southampton’s Victor Wanyama, but with the Saints likely to fight hard to hold on to one of their prize assets, manager Mauricio Pochettino could turn to the Spanish Under-21 international.
If they do, it probably won’t break too many hearts on Merseyside.