Barcelona will reportedly look to sign 31-year-old former Real Madrid playmaker Isco from Real Betis in the 2024 summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Isco is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are scouring the market for midfielders ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window. The former Real Madrid playmaker has thus emerged as a viable target for them.
Isco endured a nightmare of a 2022/23 season after leaving Real Madrid as a free agent. Despite never being a first-choice starter for Los Blancos, the Spaniard enjoyed tremendous success at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League multiple times. But his stint with Real Madrid ended when his contract expired last year.
The 31-year-old joined Sevilla in a Bosman move and initially had some good moments at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. But run-ins behind the scenes hampered Isco’s spell at the Andalusian club, as they terminated his contract in December 2022. The player was subsequently without a club until this past summer before Real Betis snapped him up on a free transfer.
The former Real Madrid playmaker has hit the ground running at the Benito Villamarin Stadium, becoming a pivotal figure for the Verdiblancos. Isco’s numbers are impressive, as he has managed three goals and three assists in 17 appearances thus far. Meanwhile, the Spanish international’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona bolstered the midfield unit this past summer by signing Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu. But both players are on the wrong side of 30, compelling them to scour the market for midfielders. Several young midfielders, including Gabriel Moscardo, have emerged on Barcelona’s radar. But Isco is also a viable target.
While securing Isco’s services will be counterintuitive, he will be a cost-effective signing, as he only signed a one-year contract with Real Betis. So, the former Real Madrid playmaker can be a solid short-term solution for Barcelona, considering he has significant experience in La Liga.
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But it will not be surprising to see Real Betis trying to tie the 31-year-old to a new contract before his current deal runs out. So, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can secure Isco’s services if the Spaniard does not pen fresh terms with Real Betis.
