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Asier Illarramendi is reportedly a target for Arsenal, but the midfielder may have to wait until the summer to complete a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Real Madrid defensive midfielder has been linked with a number of clubs after struggling to break into the team this season, with Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan leading the chase to sign him.
However, Marca has today reported that Arsenal are monitoring the 24-year-old’s situation, but won’t be signing him until the summer. This is because Arsene Wenger is focussed on bringing in a defender rather than any other player, making steady progress in signing Villarreal’s Gabriel Paulista.
If Wenger wants Illarra enough then he may make contact and encourage the midfielder to remain in Madrid until the summer, then facilitate a transfer to the Premier League.
Illarramendi is valued at around £24 million, a cut on the fee Madrid initially paid for him, but he is clearly not a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans at the Bernabeu any more, and the club are keen to sell.
