Arsenal and Sevilla reportedly be vying for the signature of out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Isco in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Isco is destined to leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window as a free agent. Arsenal and Sevilla are among the clubs plotting a Bosman move for the out-of-favour Spanish midfielder, who is set for a new phase in his career ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga in July 2013 amid a lot of hype surrounding him. The 29-year-old was widely considered as one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe at the time, but he has only managed to show flashes of brilliance in the last eight and a half years.
The presence of creative stalwarts like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos did not help matters much for Isco, who has slowly fallen to the very bottom of the pecking order for midfielders at Real Madrid. The Spaniard has started only two games for Real Madrid this term, chipping in with two goals in the process.
But Isco’s horrors at Real Madrid will come to an end soon, as he has entered the final six months of his contract. Set to depart the Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent, the out-of-favour midfielder has no shortage of suitors, with Arsenal and Sevilla among the clubs that will be vying for his signature.
The Gunners hold a long-standing interest in Isco but have never acted on it. But with the Real Madrid outcast set to become a free agent, Arsenal could finally launch the offensive for the 29-year-old, with Mikel Arteta keen on adding him to his squad.
Isco could compete with former Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard for the no. 10 berth in the 4-2-3-1 system that the Arsenal manager usually uses. Alternatively, Isco could also slot in the double-pivot alongside Thomas Partey. But Arsenal will need to fend off competition from Sevilla in the race to sign the player.
At Sevilla, Julen Lopetegui is an admirer of Isco’s talents, having used his extensively during his spell as the head coach of the Spanish national side. With Ivan Rakitic on the wrong side of 30, Isco’s arrival from Real Madrid could pave a smooth transition in midfield, as the La Liga giants look to keep up with their rivals.
The Spaniard was recently offered Sevilla, but a move never materialised. And now it looks like the 29-year-old’s favoured destination would be Arsenal, although the Gunners’ board will need to step up their efforts to prise him away from La Liga on a Bosman move.