There is no smoke without fire and the rumours about Real Madrid midfielder Isco may turn out to be true after all. Isco is reportedly unhappy with the game time he has been getting at the Santiago Bernabeu after the appointment of Zinedine Zidane and according to the reports from Manchester United Evening News, Isco is ready to leave Bernabeu if his lack of game-time continues. The Spaniard is no longer a first-team regular and this directly affects his chances of retaining his spot in the national team. Isco seemed like a perfect player for Madrid when he came to the club in 2013 after having just been crowned as the Golden Boy 2012 winner.
There were a lot of rumours in the summer that Madrid would sell Isco if they managed to get Paul Pogba. Incidentally, Isco managed to beat Pogba to the Golden Boy title back in 2012. After having seen the Frenchman joined Manchester United, Madrid are elected to continue but it has left Isco in a difficult position. He has made just one start in the La Liga with a further three appearances only coming as a substitute. Isco is quite far away from regular first-team football and would need a miracle or two in the form of injuries to key players like Luka Modric.
Isco is a transfer target for Tottenham and Arsenal, but the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea could also join them if the valuation is attractive. Madrid are unlikely to receive a huge transfer fee for the player considering that he is out of contract in just over 18 months. Aware that his transfer value will only reduce even more, the club may be thinking about taking a definite decision in January. As a two-time Champions League winner, Isco will provide a lot of quality to either Spurs or Arsenal. Speaking about his Madrid future, Isco said:
“If I’ve still only made a few appearances by the end of the season, I’ll look elsewhere. At 24 years of age I have to right to better myself.”
Spurs, though, will seem like an attractive destination for the player. Christian Eriksen has been looking out of sorts in recent months, and Isco could be a like-for-like replacement. Even though the midfielder may claim that an attacking midfielder spot is his best position, it would be difficult to dislodge Dele Alli in the current form.
He may be a multiple Champions League winner, but Isco is just 24 and could offer several years of great football. However, Isco’s statement seems to confirm that the player is not keen on a January move and would rather appreciate an end of season departure from Madrid. It appears that he has not still given up hope of reclaiming the first-team spot. Spurs look very keen on strengthening in January, and this decision by Isco may scupper any chances of a move.
