Liverpool have suffered a major blow in their hopes of landing Verona’s attacking midfielder Juan Manuel Iturbe in the summer. Reports suggest that the the Argentine, who is on loan from Porto would be on his way to Real madrid as his agent has already held talks with the Los Blancos.

Tancredi Palermi, BEIN Sports correspondent and Gazzetta Dello Sports contributor also tweeted the story.

El Real Madrid habría contactado Iturbe del Verona según cuanto adelanta Sky Italia. El jugador ya tuve contactos con el Barcelona

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) March 27, 2014

The 20-year-old has had an exceptional Serie A season making 30 appearances in scoring 6 goals and grabbing 5 assists. The Italian club is also believed to activate their permanent purchase option but with Monaco, Liverpool and now Real also interested, it looks highly unlikely.

It is believed that Real President Florentino Perez has already met with the Argentine’s agent Gustavo Mascardi on potential summer move to the greener pastures of Santiego Bernebeu.

Según Sky Italia, Real Madrid es el máximo favorito para fichar a Iturbe. Mascardi (representante) visitó a Florentino para discutir cifras.

— Serie A (@FutbolItaliano) April 24, 2014

For Liverpool it would be a major setback failing to land the dazzling talent as manager Brendan Rodgers has shown immense faith on youngsters with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho being at the heart of Liverpool’s title challenging season in the Premier League.

Iturbe who can play on either wings and also as an attacking midfielder would have been ideal in Rodgers’ tactical flexibility at Anfield.