Real Madrid midfielder Isco has admitted that he could leave Real Madrid at the end of the season amid interest from Barcelona and Manchester City.
The Spanish international has been in and out of Zinedine Zidane’s squad this season and has struggled to nail down a regular first team position. This has led to speculation that Isco will seek a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer and Isco himself has now confirmed that he is set to consider his future at the end of the season.
“I’m calm. What worries me is to have minutes,” he said, according to beIN SPORTS. “A player’s career is small. I’m happy here and would stay many more years. From now until the end of the season, we will make a decision. It is my future at stake.”
Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 in a fee worth £25.5 million and became then-manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing at the club. He arrived at Real Madrid at 21 years of age and was considered one of the most exciting prospects in the world.
In the last three seasons, Isco has made more than 30 appearances in the league for Real Madrid in each year. This season however, he has been reduced to just 11 starts and 6 substitute appearances under Zinedine Zidane, and has scored 5 goals and picked up 5 assists in those appearances.
He has also been used in only one Champions League match by the Frenchman and is clearly growing worried at the lack of playing time at the Bernabeu. If his situation at Real Madrid doesn’t improve, Isco could well be on his way out of the club.
Manchester City are rumoured to be leading the race to sign the Spaniard, who has put contract talks with Los Blancos on hold until the end of the season. City’s interest in Isco is nothing new, as former manager Manuel Pellegrini attempted to bring his former Malaga player to the Etihad before Isco opted to join Real Madrid.
City’s ageing squad could use an injection of youth and alongside Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, Isco could form an attacking partnership with some of the most exciting talents in the world for years to come.
Barcelona are also reportedly seriously interested in the Spanish international, although the Catalans will only try and sign him should he decide to stay at the Bernabeu without extending his contract.
Andres Iniesta is slowly coming to the end of his career with the Blaugrana and Barcelona have not yet found a long term replacement for the Spaniard within their ranks. Isco could well be the heir to his throne but Barcelona will have to convince him to stay patient if he wants to join them.
With City already eager to sign the playmaker, Madrid may not have a choice but to sell him if he does not sign a new contract. Isco’s current contract runs out in 2018 and Real president Florentino Perez will not want to lose such a valuable player for free.
