Arsenal are reportedly set to battle Chelsea and two other clubs in the race to sign Isco, who is valued at £63 million by Real Madrid.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Desmarque, Isco is the subject of interest from as many as four European bigwigs. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG are interested in signing the Spanish playmaker, who has a £63 million price tag and could be cashed in on by Real Madrid, who intend to fund a move for Kylian Mbappe from the money recouped.
Isco has had a stop-start stint with Real Madrid, since making the move from Malaga in the summer of 2013. Over the last seven years or so, the Spaniard has sparkled and frustrated in equal measure, struggling to establish himself as a mainstay in the first-team setup at the Bernabeu.
The same has been the case this season as well. While Isco’s fortunes have improved since Zinedine Zidane replaced Santiago Solari, the Spanish playmaker has started just 13 of the 44 games that Real Madrid have played this season. Having not managed to become a regular, it looks as if a summer exit is on the cards, with Arsenal and Chelsea among those interested in him.
At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta could do with a midfield reinforcement, considering Dani Ceballos is expected to return to Real Madrid for good at the end of his loan spell. Ceballos’s exit would leave Arteta a bit light on midfield options, making Isco a viable target, who could also slot in out wide if needed.
The interest from Chelsea, on the other hand, comes as a bit of a surprise. Frank Lampard already has a plethora of midfield options at his disposal, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek almost being like a new signing when he eventually makes his return from a long layoff. Nevertheless, Isco could help add some creativity to Lampard’s midfield options if signed and could even be used on the flanks.
Arsenal and Chelsea are, meanwhile, also facing competition from Manchester City and PSG in pursuit of the Real Madrid playmaker. PSG could perhaps, have the edge in pursuit of Isco, seeing as the 27-year-old could be the bargaining chip, as Real Madrid look to sign Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe looks poised for a move away from PSG and Real Madrid have slapped a £63 million price tag on Isco, hoping to use the proceeds from his sale to fund Mbappe’s move. Isco, though, prefers a move to the Premier League and it remains to be seen if PSG can do anything to usurp their competition, or if any of Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City swoop him away instead.
