It feels like Isco has rotted away in Real Madrid for the past five years.
The quality of the Spanish international has never been questioned, but for some reason his career seems to have just hit the buffers – even though his impressive winners’ medal collection suggests otherwise.
Clubs desperately wanting to release players whose contracts expire next summer seem to be the new trend in football too late, and Isco is the latest to be placed on the transfer list as Real look to avoid losing the Spaniard for free in 2022.
With a asking price of just £ 15 million placed on his head, Isco could be one of the finds in the transfer window and 90 minutes has watched the Premier League clubs that should be to the 29-year-old this summer …
Arsenal’s need for creative midfielders is clear / Steve Welsh / Getty Images
It is impossible for a decent player to be available for sale this summer without Arsenal being mentioned as a team that should be interested.
Mikel Arteta is desperately trying to strengthen his squad when they are looking for European football next season, and a creative midfielder is at the top of the agenda.
Tying Emile Smith Rowe to a long-term business is a decent deal, but they need much more.
Martin Odegaard’s return to Real Madrid means they are already a man in the creative midfield and the addition of Isco would see them add the kind of player that their side lacked a lot last season.
Nuno Espirito Santo has already been active in the market this summer / Henry Browne / Getty Images
Tottenham’s midfield has become a bit of a puzzle too late – there are plenty of players who seem to be decent footballers but no one is entirely sure what any of them are doing.
Dele Alli’s dip in form has seen them lose the real goal threat from midfield as well as a creative spark, and the addition of Isco would not only add quality to midfield but it could also help the Englishman rediscover the star form he showed in the early parts of his career.
The new boss Nuno Espirito Santo and the CEO Fabio Paratici are not quarreling this summer and they would be crazy not to give their interest to Isco.
Marcelo Bielsa looks to build something special at Leeds / Robin Jones / Getty Images
It may seem a little crazy to include Leeds in this list, but Marcelo Bielsa is definitely building something special on Elland Road.
He will no doubt be keen to improve on his side’s impressive ninth place in the Premier League last season and one area of his squad that could definitely be strengthened is his attacking options from midfield.
One of the hallmarks of Bielsa’s time in Leeds has been his ability to bring out the best in players whose careers seemed to have stagnated a bit, and Isco would be a good project for him.
Jurgen Klopp may be interested in a move for the Spaniard / Pool / Getty Images
Questions were asked whether Jurgen Klopp would like to replace Georginio Wijnaldum this summer or show faith in those who already exist at the club – if rumors are to be believed, it seems to be the former.
The Liverpool boss has already been linked with a number of creative midfielders and although the Reds apparently have limited transfers available to them this summer, the potential £ 15m signing of Isco is too good an opportunity to miss.
Can Rafael Benitez attract Isco to Everton? / Alex Broadway / Getty Images
Rafael Benitez’s announcement as Everton boss will never be met with open arms by believers at Goodison Park, although Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic and Demarai Gray may have caused even more uproar than the arrival of the former Liverpool boss.
Given Toffee’s penchant for sanctioning big money signings that ultimately turn out to be, well, rubbish, it’s hard to know why their fans are so upset with wise, experienced signings, but if Benitez could lure Isco to the club, it would Safely check the box “statement signing”. It seems that they also have to replace their latest statement signed by James Rodriguez.
Brendan Rodgers may be looking for reinforcements in midfield / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
If Leicester can keep the services for their current midfield harvest, there is really no reason for them to try to sign Isco – the only problem is that it is a big “if”.
James Maddison has been linked with a move from the club this summer with Arsenal apparently interested, while Youri Tieleman’s growing profile has also seen his name make the rounds in the columns for football transfer.
Brendan Rodgers is too skilled a manager not to have a contingency plan in case one of the couple leaves, and a move for Isco would definitely get a much cheaper price than what they would charge for either Maddison or Tielemans.
