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LIVERPOOL. – Liverpool have turned their attentions to South American duo Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon as they weigh up alternatives to Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.

Liverpool are also strongly pushing to get Asier Illarramendi.

The Anfield club made an initial offer of €15 million for the Spanish central midfielder that was flatly refused by Real Madrid. However, the Reds board have decided to up their bid by almost half.

The Whites now have an offer of €22 million on the table for Illarra. The club are happy with the figure being proposed by Liverpool, which is close to the €25 million bid by Athletic in last winter’s transfer window, and are ready to sell Illarra for that amount.

The thinking at Real Madrid is that the sale would cover a decent part of what they paid for the player, who arrived at the ‘Merengues’ in the summer of 2013 for close to €35 million.

Either way the decision is in the hands of Rafa Benítez. If the manager gives the deal the all-clear, Illarramendi will become a Liverpool player. If not, the ex-Napoli boss will state the player is not up for sale and Illarra will stay at Real Madrid for another season.

Meanwhile, Belgium international Benteke was identified as the Reds’ No. 1 attacking target this summer as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to add greater firepower to his squad.

However, Villa are adamant that Benteke will only be sold if a club triggers his £32million release clause and Liverpool have no intention of tabling that kind of offer.

The Reds value the 24-year-old frontman closer to £20million and are ready to walk away and pursue other options.- Liverpool Echo.