According to reports from Diario Madridista, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
What’s the word?
Diario Madristia aren’t exactly considered a reputable source but their claims about Isco leaving the Bernabeu are hardly surprising and remain based in relatively sound logic.
After spending the majority of his Real Madrid as a squad player, shuffled around a variety of midfield and attacking roles, the Spaniard has managed just one start in La Liga so far this season, although an ankle injury has been an underlying factor in his slump down the pecking order.
With his contract due to expire in 2018, it’s getting to the point where Real Madrid will either have to sell the midfielder or offer him a new deal – or else face the prospect of losing him on a free transfer in two summers’ time.
It all suggests Los Blancos will listen to bids at the end of the season and Diario Madristisa claim Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester city are interested in signing the 24-year-old along with his former employers Malaga.
How big a signing would Isco be?
There’s no shame in struggling to make a Real Madrid starting XI that remains the most expensively assembled in world football, especially when competing with the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for roles in midfield or on the flanks.
Isco won Europe’s prestigious Golden Boy award in 2012 and although his talent remains evident, limited participation in the first-team, not to mention his inability to hold down one single position, has stifled his progress somewhat. It’s rather telling that the midfielder’s goal return has reduced every season since 2012/13 – his final campaign at Malaga.
Nonetheless, there’s a common feeling that Isco does have the talent to be a star man at another club with less competition for places. However, considering Arsenal, Spurs and City already have an abundance of No.10s, he’s not exactly guaranteed a glamorous role in the Premier League either.