With Real Madrid signing Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro earlier this week, Asier Illarramendi’s future at the Spanish capital has been put under a huge doubt. Spanish media outlet MARCA have reported that there is definite interest from Athletic Bilbao but there has been no agreement between the two clubs over a possible transfer.
Illarramendi’s future at the Galacticos is definitely under scrutiny but the report claims that Real won’t be willing to sell the midfielder as of now and would want to wait till the summer before taking a decision. The reigning Spanish Champions though believe the player’s price tag stands at €25m, a figure that Bilbao won’t be willing to match.
Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde also remained coy when asked about his side’s interest in the player, “If he comes or if the club says something, they’ll tell me what my options are. Right now, I don’t know anything. The club hasn’t said anything.”
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in the player and the Spaniard would suit their requirements of a deep lying player who can build from the back. But the Gunners wouldn’t be willing to offer more than €15m.
Moreover the 24 year old also earns a handsome slary package of €2.5m. the midfielder also has a contract with Adidas which provides him €500,000 a year. Given that Bilbao’s kit sponsors in Nike, a possible move looks tough.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti though has made it clear that he won’t sell Illarramendi, Illarra is a Real Madrid player,”Nothing has changed,” He is a player of Real Madrid and though it’s true he hasn’t played much, we still have confidence in him. He’s important in the locker room.”
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