Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign Real Madrid superstar Isco on a loan-to-buy deal in the January transfer window to ease the Gunners’ creative problems, as reported by Defensa Central.
Sheffield United on October 4: That was the last time Arteta scored a goal from open play in the Premier League.
Five games, and three defeats, have followed since then, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty at Old Trafford the only time they have troubled the scoreboard in around eight hours.
The ongoing absence of Mesut Ozil – perhaps the only player in Arteta’s squad capable of picking a padlock – hasn’t helped, especially with £220,000-a-week summer recruit Willian looking less Robert Pires and more Joel Campbell.
But reports from Spain suggest Arsenal could take a leaf out of Everton’s book and offer a fresh start to a fallen Galactico.
Perhaps inspired by the way James Rodriguez has rebuilt his reputation at Goodison Park, Arteta has put Isco at the top of his wish list. Arsenal are allegedly hoping that an initial loan deal, with an option to buy the £18 million-rated play-maker in January, will twist Real’s arm.
What’s more, Isco is understood to have an excellent relationship with his former Los Blancos teammate and Spain international Dani Ceballos.
Isco, who was perhaps the finest creative midfielder in the world as Real Madrid won the La Liga title in 2016/17, has started just three domestic games this season and his father admitted this week that he wants to try life in a new league (Football Espana).
“I think that he is one of the best and he is proving it,” former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino told Marca.
“I have been lucky to have seen him playing for different clubs and he has always been a player with a capacity and creativity above average.
“He has reached his full potential at Real, and we will take that into account. We know all about his magic.”
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