According to Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool is very close to signing Real Madrid defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi.
The Spanish international has made 59 appearances for Real Madrid the last two seasons after having joined the club from Real Sociedad for 32.2€ million euros, but now finds himself hard pressed to get a game, with both Luka Modric and Tony Kroos above him in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool appears to be the front runners for the 25-year-olds signature, with manager Brendan Rodgers looking at him as the ideal replacement for Brazilian Lucas Leiva.