Arsenal are reportedly keen on Real Madrid playmaker Isco.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are hoping to snap up Real Madrid playmaker Isco in January, possibly on loan until the end of the season.
The Gunners have lost just twice in the Premier League this season, and look to be legitimate title contenders after some impressive performances.
Chelsea have though opened up something of a gap at the top of the table, meaning that manager Arsene Wenger may seek to bring in some reinforcements during the January transfer window.
Isco celebrates scoring for Real Madrid
Now, The Mirror report that Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid playmaker Isco, with a January loan deal believed to be what the Gunners are looking for.
Isco, 24, was one of the most in-demand playmakers in Europe after hitting 17 goals in 82 games for hometown club Malaga, but it was Real Madrid who won the race for his signature in the summer of 2013 – and after 17 goals in his first two seasons at the club, it looked like the Spaniard was set for stardom.
Real Madrid’s Isco in action
However, the attacking midfielder hit just five goals last season, and has become something of a bit-part player under Zinedine Zidane – and The Mirror claim that the Spanish international is now getting frustrated.
Isco has just 18 months left on his contract at Real Madrid, and whilst the London Evening Standard recently claimed that Tottenham want to land him permanently, it’s their North London rivals Arsenal who are now keen.
It’s stated manager Wenger would like to take Isco on loan for the rest of the season with a guaranteed permanent deal at the end of that – though there’s some gap in valuations as Arsenal allegedly want to pay £17million plus add-ons, where as Real want £25m.
Primarily a No. 10, it’s unclear just where Isco would play under Wenger, given that Mesut Ozil – a former Real Madrid ace who left after Isco joined the club – is the Gunners’ undoubted first-choice playmaker.
Arsenal fans may begin to worry that Isco is being lined up to replace Ozil, but Wenger could use him as a long-term replacement for fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla, whose injury problems over the last 12 months have brought his long-term Arsenal future into some doubt.
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