Barcelona have reportedly offered Isco a €20 million signing-on bonus if he runs down his contract to move to Camp Nou in 2018.
Influential Madrid-based journalist Diego Torres claimed on Catalan radio station RAC1 that Barcelona have contacted Isco for a possible switch to Camp Nou in 2018, by offering a €20 million signing-on bonus to run down his contract with Real Madrid.
Isco hasn’t had it easy in 2016/17. Out of favour with Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, the 24-year-old has fallen way down the pecking order with the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos ahead of him for a place in midfield, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are often too good to be displaced in attack.
As a result, Isco has managed to start just 13 of the 27 games that Real Madrid have played in La Liga this season. His performances haven’t been unimpressive by any means and he has still managed to grab six goals and five assists despite the limited opportunities coming his way.
But, lack of first team minutes is starting to take its toll on the Spain international, and Isco has admitted his desire to leave Real Madrid in the summer. Los Blancos even offered a new deal to Isco, which was subsequently rejected by the player in December.
So, all signs are pointing towards a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, with the likes of PSG, Manchester City and Tottenham showing an interest to sign him. But if Barcelona have their way they could ensure that he departs from the Spanish capital in 2018 instead.
The Spanish champions see Isco as a natural successor to Iniesta, as per reports, and he could prove to be a long-term solution in midfield for them, with his best years ahead of him. And they might just have hatched a cunning plan to land him in the summer, albeit in 2018.
To begin with, the Blaugrana want Isco to see out his contract with Real Madrid before switching base to Camp Nou. Upon his arrival, he will be set to receive €20 million in signing-on fee, spread out over a five-year deal, with an annual salary of €8 million.
However, the fact that Isco is desperate to become a regular at a club next season in order to make it to Julen Lopetegui’s first team plans for the 2018 World Cup could prove to be a stumbling block for Barcelona, as he is unlikely to get many opportunities with Real Madrid.
So, it is a highly complex situation for both clubs and the player, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona come out the winners on the end of it in 2018, in what will be a sensational move to say the least.
