Athletic Bilbao coach Valverde admits interest in Real Madrid midfielder Illarramendi

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted his admiration for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi.

Illarramendi is being linked with Athletic this week.

Valverde said: "Illarramendi is a good player."

"There's always speculation with these things and we all know the names of the players on Athletic's radar, because there are four or five of them. We'll see if it's speculation or not."