Real Madrid may end up transferring one of their midfielders during this winter break. Despite Carlo Ancelotti's wishes, sources indicate Basque midfielder Asier Illarramendi could be parting ways with Los Blancos, after a huge transfer bid by Athletic Bilbao.
Illarramendi arrived to Real Madrid back in 2013, but he hasn't been able to earn a spot in Los Blancos' lineup. Furthermore, his performances with the team have not dazzled Carlo Ancelotti, who has left the former Real Sociedad player out of several squad lists in favor of other midfielders such as Sami Khedira, Luka Modric, and summer signing Toni Kroos. When the German arrived, rumors surrounded Asier regarding a transfer, but the club refused to sell or loan the player born in Guipuzcoa. In the next few weeks, Los Merengues might reconsider.
Athletic Bilbao have struggled this season with a number of injuries, and despite the player's previous stint with Real Sociedad, the club would be willing to offer 25 million euros for the midfielder's services. This way, Los Leones would add some talent to their midfield, Illarramendi would enjoy the amount of playing time he's been denied with Real Madrid, and Los Blancos would recover some of the money they spent on the player's transfer. Athletic's president Josu Urrutia has established communication with Florentino Perez to finalize the deal shortly, leaving the doubt on whether the UEFA Champions League holders would try to sign any more talent for their midfield.
