Newcastle United are interested in signing Isco in the January transfer window, but the out-of-favour Real Madrid playmaker is not keen on a move.
According to a report from El Nacional, Real Madrid midfielder Isco has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League outfit Newcastle United heading into the January transfer window.
The 29-year-old joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 from fellow Spanish club Malaga. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting young playmakers in Europe at the time, Isco made an instant impact at the Santiago Bernabeu, quickly becoming a key player in the side under-then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
While he continued to be a prominent player for Los Blancos in the coming seasons, Isco’s stock has been on the decline over the past three seasons after he fell out of favour under Zinedine Zidane. The Spaniard was widely expected to leave in the summer, but Ancelotti, returning to the helm of affairs, decided to give him another opportunity.
But things have failed to improve for Isco, who continues to be on the fringes of the first team. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, rumours of an early exit in January have been doing rounds for a while. There have been reports of interest from Fenerbahce, while Arsenal have also been heavily linked with a move for the Real Madrid outcast.
Now, Newcastle United have also entered the fray for the signing of the 29-year-old. The Magpies are in a precarious position in the Premier League and are staring at the prospect of relegation at the end of the season. But with their newfound riches courtesy of a mega-money takeover by the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium, the Tyneside giants are prepared to go out and splash the cash to bolster their squad in the hope of avoiding the drop.
The lack of a creative force in the attacking third has been a major problem for Newcastle. They have often been over-reliant on either Allan Saint-Maximin or Jonjo Shelvey to act as the primary chance creator. Adding a playmaker could lift some burden off the duo while also equipping Eddie Howe & co. with another weapon to go at their opponents.
It had led to links with Philippe Coutinho of Barcelona, who turned down the Toon. Now, they have set their sights on Isco and are even willing to shell out €20 million for the Spanish international, an offer which Real Madrid will jump at. However, the Real Madrid star, like Coutinho, does not intend to join Newcastle in the January transfer window.
Instead, as per the report, Isco would prefer to see out the season at Real Madrid and move in the summer, on a free transfer, when he can demand a hefty contract and a potential signing-on fee as well. So, Newcastle’s interest in the former Golden Boy award winner is likely to end in disappointment.
