Athletic Bilbao want to take Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi on loan for the rest for the season, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 24-year-old has started just eight matches for Los Blancos this season, despite a long-term injury to first choice Luka Modric.
The newspaper claims Athletic are aware of Illarra’s plight at Madrid and would offer him an escape route, while the player himself is keen to see more playing time.
However, it may prove difficult as Coach Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be against the idea of letting Illarra leave in light of Modric’s injury and Sami Khedira’s struggles.
Illarra joined Madrid in the summer of 2013 for a reported €32m and previously represented Los Leones’ arch-rivals Real Sociedad.
Athletic, who are currently languishing near the relegation zone in La Liga, have also been linked with Arsenal’s Basque pairing of Mikel Arteta and Nacho Monreal.
