SOCCER
Where next for Isco after failed Union Berlin move?
After his failed transfer to German side Unión Berlin, the Spanish footballer still has options open as he is a free agent.
Isco’s move to Union Berlin fell down at the last minute with a change in the conditions agreed by the player’s agents and the German club coupled with Europa League registration issues ended up seeing the deal break down. Contrary to some reports, the 30-year-old did successfully complete Union’s medical tests.
After failing to join the Bundesliga, the player finds himself without a club and could now face five months of competitive inactivity until the summer market opens.
After being released by Sevilla, Isco, as a free agent can still find a club and has a series of alternatives open: sign for a club that has free unregistered player spaces in Spain or abroad (Everton are about to use this mechanic with André Ayew). The other alternative is to look at leagues that still have an active open transfer market open with transfer in Turkey still open through to 8 February. Turkish football always has always provided a well paid and high profile option for aging talents. The other less high profile alternatives would be leagues like Serbia, Romania or Switzerland.
The Asian option
Isco could also look further afield with the Russian league transfer window still open and the possibility of the Chinese league or the Japanese league, where Andrés Iniesta and Sergi Samper already play, both at Vissel Kobe could offer refuge for the 30-year-old to maintain a decent level of match fitness ahead of the 2023 summer window which opens again on 1 July.