REAL MADRID BEAT ARSENAL TO £34M MAN ASIER ILLARRAMENDI

ABOVE: Asier Illarramendi starred for Spain at the European U21 Championship

ARSENAL'S hopes of signing Asier Illarramendi are over after Real Madrid agreed a £34m deal with Real Sociedad.

The Gunners showed an interest in the 23-year-old Spanish star but Madrid have blown them out the water.
Sociedad today announced that Real would pay a release clause, understood to be £33.6m, to take Higuain to the Bernabeu.
The two clubs had been in negotiations regarding a fee for a player Madrid believe to be the long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso in a defensive midfield role.

A Madrid statement read: "Real Madrid have signed Asier Illarramendi, who is now tied to the club for the next six seasons.
"The player will be presented tomorrow after undergoing the relevant medical tests.