Isco’ future at Real Madrid appears in serious doubt after manager Santiago Solari continues to bench the Spanish midfielder because of the lack respect shown towards his manager.
Reports in Spain suggests there is friction between Isco and Solari after 26-year-old moaned about a training drill his manager had set him and his teammates. Rumour has it Solari wanted his players to count out loud the number of passes they could make before losing possession, to which Isco bemoaned it was hard enough for Real to keep the ball without having to count out loud too.
Isco’s representatives would argue that the real lack of respect has come from Solari who has yet to start the Spanish international in any of his six games in charge so far.
Isco has played just 78 minutes of football under Solari, and the manager may continue to overlook the former Malaga midfielder having won five of those six games without the player in his starting line-up.
There doesn’t appear any pressure on Solari from the Real hierarchy to start Isco, in fact, Real resident Florentino Perez wouldn’t object to the midfielder’s departure as he would free up around €7million on the wage budget and recoup most, if not more, than the €30million they paid for him back in 2013.
So, with the January transfer window fast approaching, will Isco decide to hand a transfer request in if things between him and Solari don’t change? It’s very much a possibility, and there will be plenty of interest from around Europe if Real decide to cash in on the playmaker.
Reports suggest both Manchester City and Arsenal are monitoring the situation, with the Gunners thought to be readying a £44million bid for Isco. A few days ago, Spanish publication Don Balon claimed Real will only consider selling Isco for the right price and offers around £62million could do the trick.
Unai Emery knows of the players having managed him during their time at Valencia together. Emery was the one who sold him to Malaga after the lack of progress Isco was making. However, its safe to say that the playmaker has improved immensely during his time at Real Madrid and has been arguably one of their best players in recent years.
If Real are willing to sell, then Emery should throw his hat in the ring for Isco’s services, even more so now knowing Aaron Ramsey will be leaving Arsenal soon. Isco would be a more than ideal replacement for Ramsey and would certainly contend the number 10 role with the likes of Mesut Ozil.
