Real Madrid to use Isco in order to reduce Paul Pogba price?
Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco has been linked to a move away from the club this winter, but it may make more sense for Los Blancos to use the talented Spanish international as a trade chip in the summer.
Isco has dealt with injuries this season and clearly didn’t look 100 percent in his ill-fated starting appearance as a center midfield pivot alongside Casemiro in Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to RCD Mallorca.
However, Isco has regained his form since then. The 27-year-old looked sprightly off the bench in Real’s 6-0 win over Galatasaray, and he was similarly effective as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Eibar last weekend prior to the November international break.
There is no questioning Isco’s talent when he’s healthy and at his best, and he may finally be rounding into form here in Zinedine Zidane‘s second stint as manager. But Real have a glut of talented midfielders and eyes on younger and more well-rounded center midfielders next summer.
One of those dream targets in Paul Pogba, whom Zidane wanted Real to sign this past summer. Manchester United wisely resisted, asking for a sky-high price from Real Madrid in the face of mutual interest in a move from Pogba and Los Blancos.
According to a report from El Desmarque’s Manuel Valcarce, Real plan on using Isco to acquire Pogba, who is valued at around 150 million euros by the Red Devils. While this isn’t a completely unfair price tag for one of the best all-around center midfielders in the world, it’s a high price for even Real to pay. And Real are trying to pinch a few pennies in order to afford a move for Kylian Mbappe, who should end up costing more than double Pogba’s reported price.
Next. Real Madrid will have trouble finding a suitor for Gareth Bale. dark
Isco could be of interest to United, since he’s a talented attacking midfielder who would fill a gaping creative void in the Premier League side’s attack. Real Madrid believe Isco is worth 60 million euros, so they could conceivably give United around 80 million euros and Isco to get a deal done.
Of course, all of this hinges on how much United believe Isco is worth. He carries high name value and is highly-regarded for his talent, but it’s been three years since he’s been at his peak. Isco will need to be at his best for the rest of 2019-2020 in order for the Red Devils to be interested in a swap deal, but at least recent indicators have been encouraging.