Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane will decide the future of Isco

Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco is still a useful player to Los Blancos, but he could also help the club generate funds if they need them.

This year’s summer transfer window will be a difficult one for Real Madrid due to the current economic crisis. Los Blancos’ tumble out of the Champions League against Manchester City was a reminder that this club still isn’t at the level they need to be, but they won’t be able to make proper reinforcements in 2020 due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

As such, Real Madrid will be prioritizing sales over signings, perhaps even signing to sell. A talented young player in Achraf Hakimi has already been sold to Inter Milan, and the likes of Sergio Reguilon could soon follow.

Among veteran players, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale are among the easy decisions to sell, but there are others who will cause more difficult conversations in Madrid. And Isco is one such player.

According to a report from ABC Deportes, Isco’s future is in Zinedine Zidane’s hands. There are a few conditions that would need to be settled in order for Isco to be sold this summer, but the primary factor rests in Zidane’s hands.

Zinedine Zidane’s plans for Real Madrid are unclear

Zidane is known to be high on Isco, though he did not play the attacking midfielder as a starter or a sub against Manchester City despite his strong display in the first leg. Isco had two assists in the final game of the 2019-2020 La Liga season, yet that was the only time he played the full 90 minutes in the 11 games after the restart – and that was with the title already sealed.

So after bringing back Martin Odegaard from Real Sociedad, it is hard to guess what Zidane envisions in his squad or who he views as necessary. Because he may like Isco, but does he view the playmaker as necessary?

I believe Isco is still an important player to Real Madrid and should not be sold. But remember, I am not privy to all the financial details in the club, nor am I in the position to evaluate transfer offers. ABC Deportes states that Real would want 40-50 million euros in order to sell Isco, and that’s a huge amount of money in this current market, especially for a player who doesn’t hold resale value like Hakimi, for example.

Isco was recently linked to Juventus, and while that rumor has zero legs to it, the rumor is a reminder that there would be serious interest in the Spanish international if he were to be made available. Manchester City, Arsenal, and other Premier League sides would probably love to sign him. That said, if Zidane views Isco as important to his plans, Real will look to sell some other players to raise funds.