Arsenal and Liverpool are set to battle it out to secure the signature of Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi.
The former Real Sociedad player has struggled to earn a regular place in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up and the Daily Star contends that the Premier League duo will go head-to-head this summer for the 25-year-old.
Illarramendi cost Los Blancos a reported €30m and it will take a bid of around €25m for them to business.
However, both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are ahead of him in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu and the Spanish giants would be willing to let him leave should they receive a suitable offer.
Arsenal in particular are on the lookout for a ball-playing midfielder, with both Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta linked with moves away, while Liverpool are also scouring the market for long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard.
