Real Madrid midfielder Isco has made his intentions clear of leaving the club in January, with the Spanish giants ready to part ways with the player if their asking price is met.
The 28-year-old has fallen at the Bernabeu, notably following the return of Marco Asensio (from injury) and Martin Odegaard (from his loan spell). In fact, Isco has managed just six appearances so far in 2020/21, with just three of those coming from starts.
Isco has struggled for minutes in 2020/21 / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
He has been linked with a move away from Madrid as a result of his lack of game time, and AS now report that those close to the player have confirmed his desire for a January move once the transfer window opens. .
Los Blancos are ready to sell the player, but only if a club meets their price. Indeed, it will be crucial as they look to raise money to help with potential investment next summer – Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is a top target, for example.
The report did not mention how much Madrid are looking for, although with his contract set to expire in 2022, the club are running out of time to command a high price for the creative midfielder.
Isco could leave in January / Angel Martinez / Getty Images
Isco actually started the season very well in terms of competition for places within the squad, especially with Asensio and Odegaard returning to action. AS report that he made it ‘clear’ to everyone at the club that he intended to stay put and fight, but has failed to make much of an impact so far this term. It seems as if his view of the matter has changed.
Of course, Isco also became the latest player to be placed on boss Zinedine Zidane’s ‘blacklist’ at the end of October when he was caught on camera complaining about the Frenchman’s decision. Such comments would only have pushed him closer to the exit door.
Isco, given his natural ability and his contract situation, has already been linked with a number of clubs – notably Everton. The player is said to be ‘desperate’ to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti and James Rodriguez at Everton, although Ancelotti denied those links when speaking to DIRECTV SportsCo.
It remains to be seen where he will end up, but what seems increasingly clear is that he is actively seeking to end his seven-year association with Los Blancos.