Arsenal’s Goal correspondent Charles Watts spent some time talking about the Gunners’ pursuit of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco during the latest video posted on his YouTube channel.
This comes after reports emerged claiming that Mikel Arteta’s side is interested in bringing the £18m-rated man to the Emirates Stadium on a short-term loan deal when the transfer window re-opens next month.
However, on that potential deal, Watts explained that while Arsenal are interested in signing Isco, it’s not certain that Zinedine Zidane’s side will be open to allowing the 28-year-old to leave Estadio Santiago Bernabeu next month, while the journalist also explained that although Isco is “very keen on leaving” Madrid, where he’s made the starting XI just 19% of the time this term, he might prefer to join another Spanish club, with Sevilla mentioned as a potential rival for the Gunners in this chase.
Here is what Watts had to say about Arsenal’s pursuit of Isco: “I’ve learned a little bit more on the whole Isco situation. At the moment, Arsenal are interested in potentially doing something with him on loan in January until the end of the season.
“Now, people that I’ve spoke to very close to Isco have said they still are unaware on whether Real Madrid are going to let him leave in January so it’s a little bit of a waiting game when it comes to Isco.
“Isco’s very keen on leaving, not necessarily to Arsenal, Sevilla have certainly been linked and the reports in Spain – I can’t confirm or not – are that he would prefer to stay in Spain ahead of the Euros this summer and potentially go to Sevilla.”
Will Arsenal sign Isco?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on what Watts had to say about Isco…
Given that Arsenal have had ‘worrying’ issues in terms of creativity this season, it may be understandable why Arteta is reportedly aiming to recruit a creative midfielder in January.
With Isco seemingly keen on a departure from Madrid next month, it might also be understandable why he would be one of the Spanish coach’s top priority targets in that position, especially as playing through balls often is said to be a notable aspect of the Gunners’ style of play, per WhoScored, and playing through balls is also said to be a very strong aspect of Isco’s game, according to the stats website.
So, it would appear as though the Spaniard would be a good fit for Arteta’s side and the timing might also be right for the two to link up. As a result, the news that a Spanish side, such as Sevilla, may have the edge over the Gunners in the pursuit of Isco’s signature if Real Madrid do allow him to leave their club in January could be seen as a significant blow for Arsenal’s transfer plans if true.