Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich is reportedly set to beat English Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Real Madrid star Isco when the transfer window re-opens in January.
The 24-year-old Spain international has not received a contract extension from the Bernabéu giants as of late while higher-profile stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were both recently tied down to fresh, long-term deals.
Isco's failure to secure a new contract has generated rumors that he could be on his way out of Madrid in the winter transfer window as several clubs are reportedly interested in prying him away from Spain. He is still under contract with Los Blancos until 2018.
Chelsea and Tottenham are said to be the two of the top clubs that were linked to the 5-foot-9 Benalmádena, Spain native, who is "one of the most sought-after talents on the market" right now, but latest speculations have emerged that Bayern could overtake the two English teams in the "battle to land" Isco, as per Goal.
Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was Isco's former manager in Real when the Italian boss coached the squad from 2013 to 2015, is reportedly keen on bringing his former player to Germany to help him extend the Bavarians' four-year title reign.
Rumors are out that Ancelotti has "stepped up moves to convince" Isco to join him in Munich, but there are still no reports of the Spaniard's response to his former coach.
According to the Daily Star, if Isco fails to sign a new deal before the January window opens, then he will more likely be "available to buy for a much lower fee than would be expected for a player of his quality", opening the door for Ancelotti and Bayern.
Isco's "best football" said to have happened when Ancelotti was still at the Bernabéu as his playing time gradually decreased under Rafael Benitez and Zinedine Zidane.
Isco was signed by Real in the summer of 2013 from fellow La Liga club Malaga CF for an estimated transfer fee of $33.8 million. In four seasons so far for Los Blancos, Isco has scored 24 times in a total of 159 games in all competitions.