Transfer talk: Liverpool to bring in Real Madrid misfit to replace Steven Gerrard

Liverpool are turning their attention to La Liga, as they continue their search for Steven Gerrard's replacement.

The Reds are now leading the charge to sign Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi after Los Blancos officially offered him for sale. Rodgers has been keeping close tabs on the 25-year-old's movements for a while now and could finally back up his interest with a bid. Madrid have reportedly slapped a €13m price tag on the player and have already been contacted by several clubs, but Liverpool remain firm favourites to land him to fill that large Stevie G-shaped void that will be in the squad next season. Illarramendi joined Real from Real Sociedad in 2013, but has thus far failed to make an impact at the La Liga giants. If Rodgers does sign the Spaniard, we sincerely hope he has a better time pronouncing his name than David Moyes. Jose Mourinho is planning a shock move for Manchester City’s unsettled midfield star Yaya Toure. according to the Express. The 32-year-old Ivorian is “90 per cent certain” to leave the Etihad in the summer, according to his agent Dimitri Seluk and Stamford Bridge might well be where he ends up. City are looking to recoup at least £10 million of the £24 million they paid Barcelona in 2010, which wouldn’t be an issue for the newly crowned Premier League champions.

Whether City would be content allowing Toure to join a Premier League rival is another story, especially when Inter Milan, Juventus and PSG are all said to be interested in the midfielder.

Manchester United could be set to miss out on Ilkay Gundogan as Barcelona entered the race to sign him, so the Mundo Deportivo is reporting. The German international confirmed that he will not be extending his current deal at Dortmund, which expires in the summer of 2016. Barcelona's transfer embargo will have been lifted by then, which means they are now in poll position to snap him up as a long term replacement for Nou Camp stalwart Xavi. Real Madrid have a plan B in place, if they miss out on David de Gea this summer. AS claim Los Blancos will move for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech if Manchester United get greedy with the transfer fee for the Spanish shot-stopper. Reports that emerged from Spain earlier this week claimed that the La Liga giants have already reached an agreement with De Gea, but are still negotiating a deal with United. If United demand between over €30m in the summer, Madrid will wait until the summer of 2016 and sign De Gea on a free transfer instead, so AS reports. If this happens, Madrid would then turn to Cech as their number one goalkeeper for one season until De Gea arrives at the Bernabeu.