'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwX/2gAIAQEAAAAAlH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAECEAAAABn/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAeEAACAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIAEqEEEyIyUf/aAAgBAQABPwCIXHXBhZKadq0oI4XA9s1ajwZr/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQD/2gAIAQIBAT8AG//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQMBAT8Af//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal’s hopes of landing Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad this summer have been dealt a blow according to the Daily Star, who believe that Real Madrid are lining up a bid for the French winger that would see Asier Illarramendi return to Sociedad in return.
Arsenal were believed to have tabled an £18million bid for Griezmann on Monday as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season, with the France international comfortable playing on the wing or as a central striker and his versatility appealing to manager Arsene Wenger.
However, Real Madrid are preparing a counter offer to take him to Santiago Bernabeu instead, and they are offering Sociedad old boy Illarramendi on loan as a sweetener to seal the deal.
Illarramendi only joined Real Madrid from the Basque club last summer in a €32m deal, but he has not lived up to the price tag in the Spanish capital and Xabi Alonso’s contract extension earlier in the year suggests he is unlikely to be given too many more first team opportunities next season.
He was overlooked in the Champions League final in favour of giving Sami Khedira given a first start in six months, suggesting Carlo Ancelotti is perhaps not convinced by the young Spaniard and would look to offer him to Sociedad on a two year loan deal in order to land Griezmann.
