Arsenal and Liverpool set to miss out on midfielder
Asier Illarramendi, 25 has arrived in San Sebastian this morning to undergo a medical ahead of a £12.4 million pound move back to Real Sociedad the side that he left in 2013 to join Real Madrid.
The midfielder made limited appearances under ex-Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and has failed to impress new boss Rafa Benitez making his departure from the club inevitable.
Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool were interested in the midfielder but look to have been beaten in the race to sign him by the Spanish outfit managed by former Manchester Utd boss David Moyes.
Illarramendi made 56 appearances for Real Sociedad from 2010 to 2013 before his £23.5 million move to Real Madrid.
Other Targets
Liverpool might not have to look far for a replacement with Lucas Leiva returning to the squad after being linked with a move away earlier in the transfer window. Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and PSG midfielder Marco Verratti have also been linked with a move to Anfield.
Arsenal are also still in the market for a defensive midfielder with a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender not out of the question.
