Arsenal has reportedly begun talks with Real Madrid about a possible transfer for Spanish midfielder Isco. The 29-year-old has less than eight months left on his current Real Madrid contract and is eager to leave the club in January.
According to Todo Fichajes, Arsenal has begun talks with Isco’s representatives about a possible January move to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners feel they can sign Bale for a reasonable price before his free transfer next summer.
Isco moved to Real Madrid from Malaga in the summer of 2013 in a €30 million deal. The attacking midfielder has appeared in over 340 games for Real Madrid in all competitions, scoring 52 goals. During his time at Real Madrid, Isco has helped the club win two La Ligas, a Copa del Rey, and four Champions Leagues. The 29-year-old has made 38 international appearances for Spain, scoring 12 goals.
Last season, Isco fell down the pecking order at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane’s management. Last season, he made 29 appearances for the club in all competitions, the majority of which were as a second-half substitute. This summer, he was heavily linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu. However, new manager Carlo Ancelotti persuaded Isco to stay at Real Madrid and compete for a starting spot.
This season, Isco has failed to turn things around at Real Madrid. He has only made six appearances for the club in all competitions. Arsenal will build on their recent form, which has seen them win three and draw two of their last five Premier League games. Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to bolster his squad in January by bringing in an experienced midfielder.
Real Madrid is also rumored to be interested in offloading Isco in January. Carlo Ancelotti has deemed the Spanish midfielder surplus to requirements despite being one of the club’s highest earners. A move to Arsenal could help Isco’s career and increase his chances of making Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Isco’s technical abilities and work rate will most likely compliment Arsenal’s possession-based attacking style.
Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Sambi Lokonga, and Ben White are among the promising young players in Mikel Arteta’s squad. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is thought to be eager to add some experience and creativity to his starting lineup to push on in the second half of the season.