Arsenal are reportedly looking to bolster their midfield options this January with the six-month loan signing of Real Madrid playmaker Isco.
Metro Sport are reporting the transfer rumour that Mikel Arteta is keen to bring Isco to the Emirates in the upcoming window. However, Madrid-based publication AS are claiming that Isco himself is set on a move to Sevilla, where he would be able to play under former Real Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui once again.
Football Transfer Rumours: Arsenal Want Isco on Six-Month Loan
Deal Would Quash Talk of Mesut Ozil Returning From Exile
Arsenal’s need for more creativity in the midfield positions this season has been abundantly clear for some time. Prior to the impressive victory over London rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day, the Gunners had only scored 12 goals in 14 Premier League matches, highlighting an inability to create chances in the top flight.
Arteta’s side’s inactivity in front of goal has led to clamour for him to restore German midfielder Mesut Ozil to the Arsenal squad in the new year, but the Gunners boss may think he can find a short-term fix to this issue in the form of Isco.
The Real Madrid man is certainly seen as an accessible target. Isco has only featured on 11 occasions for the La Liga holders this season, having slipped down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane.
Additionally, the two clubs have previous when it comes to dealing in the transfer market. Isco’s fellow Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos remains on loan at Arsenal from parent club Madrid. The 24-year-old has featured prominently under Arteta and performed particularly impressively towards the closing stages of last season as the club won a record-extending 14th FA Cup trophy.
Sevilla Also in the Hunt for Isco
Despite transfer rumours, any hope Arsenal harbour towards landing Isco may be quashed by the player’s apparent desire to remain in Spain. This would make Europa League holders Sevilla firm favourites to secure the midfielder’s signature.
Were Julen Lopetegui to try and lure Isco into joining him once more, the 28-year-old would be able to link up with a coach under whom he has played some of his best football to date.
During Lopetegui’s ultimately ill-fated stint in charge of the Spanish national side, Isco was at the heart of some impressive displays in the 2018 World Cup qualifying rounds. Operating in a false nine role, the player scored a memorable double in a 3-0 victory over Italy at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2017. Many would expect Isco to replicate such impressive displays if he were to rekindle his relationship with Lopetegui once more.
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