Arsenal has emerged as one of the frontrunners to recruit Real Madrid midfielder Isco during the January transfer window, according to reports.

In a report from Catalunya Radio, Real Madrid misfit Isco is expected to part ways with the Spanish capital club during the forthcoming January transfer window, with Arsenal and Sevilla emerging as the most likely candidates to land his services.

Isco joined Real Madrid from neighbouring Spanish club Malaga in 2013 and has been with the club ever since. The offensive midfielder, who was widely considered as one of the greatest up and coming young playmakers at the time, had a bright start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu and enjoyed a great deal of success while being a regular fixture in the team. The Gunners need to be really decisive about which players they want to sign.

Although Isco has made several appearances for the Spanish capital club over the previous three seasons, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the starting lineup. Each season, his number of appearances has decreased, and he has started only two games in all competitions so far this season.

Isco’s has slowly faded out of Real Madrid

Isco’s Real Madrid contract expires after the season, and it was generally assumed that he would depart the club. However, according to the rumour cited above, he may not have to wait until the summer transfer season to complete his move as teams are lined up to sign him as early as the January transfer window. In addition, the report claims that Arsenal and Sevilla are now leading the race to capture the 29-year-old midfielder from Real Madrid.

In recent seasons, Arsenal has conducted a significant amount of business with Real Madrid. In addition, the Gunners had signed Martin Odegaard temporarily in January of this year before making his move permanent during the summer transfer window. Dani Ceballos had been on loan for the Gunners for the previous two seasons.

However, their interest in Isco is a little perplexing, particularly given the fact that Odegaard has not been playing consistently. Mikel Arteta has changed his approach somewhat, positioning Alexandre Lacazette just off the primary striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe acting on the wings.

Isco may not be the option that will suit Arsenal

Even if Lacazette is unable to play, Arteta can rely on Smith Rowe and Odegaard to step in as creative playmakers, while also having alternatives like Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe to use on the flanks. Even if there have been rumours that Arsenal is interested in selling Pepe, signing Isco in January does not make much sense since he does not suit the type of players that the club has been pursuing recently.

A transfer to Sevilla, on the other hand, may be fruitful for the Spaniard, as he would be able to inject some more skill and creativity into a midfield that has become more reliant on an ageing Ivan Rakitic. Consequently, although the article claims that Arsenal is among the best-positioned teams to sign Isco, this rumour should be taken with a grain of salt.