Spanish, Italians English all in pole position for the same player

The British press say Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs are interested in signing Real Madrid defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi.

Marca say he is more likely to re-join his former club Real Sociedad, now managed by David Moyes, with Liverpool and Juventus offering more. Real Sociedad have offered £7.14-million (€10m) while Liverpool and Juventus have offered £10.71-million (€15m).

Real Madrid bought the 25-year-old (26 next March) Spaniard for £25.79-million (€35m) in 2013 but he was not in favour under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benítez isn't picking him either.

Real Madrid have insisted there are no offers for Illarramendi, that old chestnut that some fans actually believe it seems. If a club talks to another club and makes an offer, although that is effectively a bid, it isn't a bid officially thus a club tells its supporters they have received no bids. It's meaningless, it just means there is nothing official, in other words in writing. The press all refer to them as bids and everyone recognises they are bids, statements are just PR for fans, nothing more.

The Spanish press have a Spanish side (Real Sociedad) in pole position to sign him, the British press have a British side (Liverpool) in pole position to sign him and the Italian press have an Italian side (Juventus) in pole position to sign him.

From what I understand there is interest on both sides, we have an interest in him and he is interested in us, but there are plenty of clubs looking at a player who lost his way at Madrid.

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