Exclusive: Agent of Esteban Granero Confirms Liverpool Link

The agent of Esteban Granero has told The International Business Times UK that the Spaniard could join Liverpool in the summer.

The 24-year-old continues to play an increasingly peripheral role under Jose Mourinho and has subsequently been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this month, amid apparent interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Although links to Arsenal were dismissed, the Spaniard's agent suggested Liverpool were interested in the former Getafe midfielder and intimated Granero could move to Anfield in the summer, should his current hiatus from first team duties at the Bernabeu continue.

Teofilo Lazaro claimed the aforementioned Real Madrid coach is endeavouring to jettison the playmaker in this month's transfer window, either on loan or permanently, but was adamant his client would not be leaving Spain in January, despite confirmation of Liverpool's admiration.

"He's finding his chances limited at Real. He's keen for a move away - possibly to Liverpool." Lazaro told The IBTimes UK.

While happy to reveal Liverpool's reputed advances, Lazaro suggested Granero would remain at the Bernabeu beyond this month's transfer window, regardless of Mourinho's intention to move the player on.

Lazaro hinted that the technically gifted midfielder is unsettled in the Spanish capital due to his lack of opportunities, claiming that "he just wants to play".

He continued: "If he can't play at Madrid then he'll play somewhere else. It's as simple as that."

In addition to being associated with Liverpool, Granero had also been linked with a move to Arsenal but this was refutably denied by the agent who said "he hadn't heard anything" from the north London Premier League club.

Granero initially left Real Madrid in July 2008 in order to join La Liga counterparts Getafe, but following an impressive spell at Los Azulones, his former club exercised their buy-back option for the former Spanish international, and he returned to the Bernabeu just a year later in a £4 million deal.

Although he has played a marginal role since, the player has been regularly associated with clubs in England, and in addition to Liverpool and Arsenal, TalkSport recently suggested Blackburn Rovers were admirers.

The aforementioned source claimed Liverpool and Granero's other Premier League suitors could land the Madrid born star for £8 million, but a transfer to England this month now looks increasingly unlikely.

The interview with Granero's agent was conducted by Spanish speaking Thomas Nicolson, who is The International Business Times UK's political reporter. To follow Tom on Twitter click here @thomasnicolson.