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According to the whole Spanish press -Marca, As, Cadena SER, COPE and even local TV station ETB- Real Madrid and Real Sociedad have agreed a 30M€ transfer fee for Asier Illarramendi. This agreement has not been announced yet because the Basque team wants to get that fee in a single payment while Florentino Pérez's idea is to split it in two or three different payments.
The rumors that placed Illarramendi in Real Madrid started last month, but it was only two days ago than it looked as if los blancos were really interested in signing the promising midfielder. According to Spanish tabloid Marca, Zinedine Zidane called Illarramendi and convinced him to join Real Madrid -he did the same with Isco-. Illarramendi was one of Carlo Ancelotti's priorities to reinforce the team's midfield, and it will certainly be interesting to see how he develops with Real Sociedad legend Xabi Alonso as his mentor.
Real Madrid have signed Spain U21's core -Isco and Illarramendi- for about 60M€. Some might believe that Illarramendi's transfer is a bit overpaid, but Isco's cheap 25M€ transfer fee balances Real Madrid's budget.
Real Madrid want to unveil Asier Illarramendi early next week, as the team's preseason starts on July 15th.