English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are rumored to be set to fight for the signature or Real Madrid's Isco when the winter transfer window opens in January.
Caught Offside reported that the Gunners are Spurs are "set to lock horns in the transfer market" as the two teams are eager to acquire the services of the 24-year-old Spanish midfielder "if the La Liga giants decide to sell" in the winter.
Isco had been underutilized by Real head coach Zinedine Zidane this season. He only appeared four times in the Spanish top flight so far and five games in all competitions, which could eventually be an issue for the former Malaga standout.
The Spain International had been struggling to find his place in the starting XI since he arrived from Los Boquerones in the summer of 2013. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez, and now with Zidane, he had appeared in a total of 149 games in three seasons, excluding the current one, for Los Blancos, but most of them were coming off the bench rather than starting the game.
Isco is behind Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, and James Rodriguez in the midfield's pecking order, which is why he is not seeing that much first-team time.
He still has two years left in his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and with his rumored unhappiness, Real officials may see it appropriate to sell him as soon as possible while his value is still high than risk losing him for a lower price in the future.
The report said that a move to Arsenal or Tottenham "would be particularly appealing" as it will not only give him a chance to showcase his wares in England, but the two teams are capable of giving him Champions League football exposure in the process.
Both teams are also in need of a playmaker behind their respective center-forwards and Isco is most comfortable at the attacking midfielder spot that he had not been able to maintain at Real.
Daily Star indicated that aside from the Gunner and Spurs, fellow Premier League club Manchester City is also interested in bidding for the Benalmádena, Spain native. Malaga is also said to be planning on bringing him back to La Rosaleda, but it would be a long shot for the Albicelestes.
