Barça offer Isco €20M to run down his contract

Barcelona have hatched a cunning plan to capture Real Madrid midfielder Isco, Catalan radio station Rac 1 has revealed. The proposed transfer would not take place this summer, but in 2018, when the Spain international’s contract runs out at the Bernabéu.

€20 million for Isco to run down his contract

According to Rac 1, Barça will pay Isco a ‘sweetener’ of €20 million on the understanding that the Andalusian will see out his contract at Real Madrid, before switching to Barcelona. The €20 million would be paid to Isco in installments, spread over the five years that Barça intend to tie him down for.

This crafty approach would mean that Barça would secure Isco’s services on a free transfer. The Azulgrana would not only avoid the need to pay a transfer fee, they would avoid lining the pockets of their arch rivals. Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are displeased by this proposal, as there is apparently an ‘anti-Barça’ clause Isco's his contract, meaning he can not join the Catalan club while his contract is in effect.

In search of first team football

Isco, recently linked to PSG, is eager to be a first-team regular, and Zinedine Zidane has given him a limited amount of playing time. He is currently behind Kovacic and Lucas Vázquez in the pecking order at the Bernabéu, and has had to share opportunities with James Rodríguez. Isco cannot be guaranteed a place in the Real Madrid starting XI, and this may well dissuade him from extending his current contract.

Last summer, Isco was poised to sign for Tottenham Hotspur on loan. But, at the last minute, he decided to stay put and fight for his place in the Real Madrid side. This time, the player’s decision will remain to be seen. It is also worth considering that Barcelona’s interest could also trigger the interest of other European heavyweights.