Reports have surfaced that Real Madrid playmaker Isco has handed a transfer request to his club, and Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have stepped up the chase for the Spanish international.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has remained one of the top targets for several clubs in Europe over the seasons ever since he was a Valencia player, and reports have only given the much-needed opening to his suitors.
Isco was in the Spain U21 side that won the UEFA European U21 Championship in 2013. He moved to Real in June that year and played a key role in helping the Los Blancos lift the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey that season.
However, it is believed that the lack of game time at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, and also the failure of securing a confirmed berth in the starting XI under Rafa Benitez, has reportedly provoked him to take a decision of handing a transfer request.
According to Fichajes, which has quoted a report from Don Balon, Isco is not comfortable with his present situation at Real Madrid and has therefore asked club president Florentino Perez to allow him to move in search of greener pastures.
According to the Daily Star, Benitez would be keen on stamping a base price of atleast £35m for the goal-scoring midfielder.
Now, the ball remains in the court of Arsene Wenger (Arsenal), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), and Jose Mourinho (Chelsea) whether to launch a bid for Isco in the upcoming transfer window in January next year.
The Daily Express has said that reports in Spain have claimed that Wenger has already asked the Gunners' board to make a move for the player in January. The Arsenal manager signed only one player in the three-month long summer transfer window and has faced criticism for it.
Meanwhile, the Spanish newspaper Don Balon has also reported that Manchester United, Barcelona, and even Manchester City are keeping tabs on the player's current situation.
Isco's current contract at the Bernabeu runs until the summer of 2018. He has had 118 appearances for Real in all competitions so far.
