Real Madrid: AC Milan weighing up a move for Isco
According to La Gazzetta, AC Milan are interested in Isco as a replacement for Hakan Çalhanoglu and will approach Real Madrid over the midfielder.
AC Milan are hoping their good relationship with Real Madrid will lead to discussions over Isco’s future. The two clubs are in talks to extend Brahim Díaz’s loan deal for another season and after asking about Madrid players including Luka Jovic, Dani Ceballos and Álvaro Odriozola in recent seasons, the Serie A side are now considering making a move for the 29-year-old midfielder, who has found playing time hard to come by in the Spanish capital under Zinedine Zidane. According to La Gazzetta, Milan see Isco as a perfect replacement for Hakan Çalhanoglu, who refused an extension to move to Inter when his contract expired.
Isco’s own deal at the Bernabéu runs out in 2022, meaning the Madrid board have a decision to make over the midfielder this summer or risk losing him as a free agent. Carlo Ancelotti will be key to any potential deal. The former Milan boss was a fan of Isco during his first spell at the Bernabéu and the midfielder was the first signing made under the Italian but whether or not he continues at the club beyond this summer is something the board will decide when they sit down with Ancelotti to go over squad priorities. If Isco is deemed surplus to requirements, Milan hope their ties with Ancelotti will see them jump to the front of the queue.
Isco to wait on Ancelotti talks
Isco was one of several players who found Zidane’s tendency to stick with a core of players not to their benefit and he has featured sparingly over the past two seasons. Such was his disaffection that at one stage he asked to be allowed to leave but the arrival of Ancelotti means that those players who had been on the fringes during the Frenchman’s tenure will wait to see if they are in the Italian’s plans going into the 2021-22 season.
Milan are likely to face competition for Isco if he becomes available. Sevilla have already expressed an interest and tried to sign the Malaga-born player in January to link up with long-term admirer Julen Lopetegui while there is likely to be interest from the Premier League and other sides in Serie A.