Arsenal’s pursuit of Real Madrid Isco is set to get more complicated, with the playmaker having a particular admiration for Chelsea.
As reported by Mirror, Arsenal are set to face massive blow in their pursuit of Isco. The Real Madrid playmaker was identified as one of the key January targets for Mikel Arteta following a dismal start to the campaign. However, the player’s comments during an interview last year hints his desire is to play to Chelsea instead.
Asked by Soccer Bible which stadium he would like to play at that he hasn’t already, Isco simply answered, “Stamford Bridge”. It does not bode well for Arsenal, especially if their London rival join the race in the pursuit of the Real Madrid playmaker next month.
In addition to Isco’s admiration for Chelsea, the ex-Malaga star could also find it difficult to leave the Bernabeu in the first place. Reports from Spain already suggest that Zinedine Zidane won’t let him leave in January while the player’s first preference is to stay in La Liga by moving to Sevilla.
As a result, Arsenal seem like mere outsiders at the moment in the pursuit of Isco. It is rather disappointing, especially given the fact that the Gunners had also missed out on Dominik Szobozlai earlier this month, with the Hungarian international joining RB Leipzig. In addition, the club has reportedly dropped their interest in summer target Houssem Aouar.
For Real Madrid, Isco’s prolonged stay at the club would not make much sense. The playmaker has already fallen behind the likes of Marco Asensio, Martin Odegaard and Luka Modric in the pecking order this season.
In fact, obstructing a move elsewhere for Isco almost cancels out the opportunity of the player potentially increasing his valuation by performing elsewhere – something Real Madrid could definitely welcome given the fact that player’s contract expires at the end of next season.
On the flip side, however, it is fair to point out that Zidane himself is facing an uncertain future at Bernabeu. And it won’t be surprising to see him depart should he fail to win the Champions League or La Liga title in the ongoing campaign. The Frenchman’s potential departure could revive Isco’s chances of becoming a first-team player once again for Los Blancos.
As for Arsenal, it appears obvious that they need to shift their attention elsewhere, especially amid revelations that he admires Chelsea. The Gunners have been linked with a move for Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia, so it will be interesting to see how Arteta plans his market activity next month.
