How has Real Madrid reacted to Isco’s transfer request?

Isco has let Real Madrid know that he wants to leave the club this winter, essentially forcing the club to make a sale.

Last season, Isco was listed in transfer rumors throughout the first half of the campaign, but Real Madrid did not sell him and probably were not going to get a suitable offer due to his lack of form. In the second half of the season, though, Isco played a key role at times for Los Blancos, standing out in wins over Osasuna and Barcelona.

But this season, Isco has been on the periphery of the squad for Real Madrid. He did well in the team’s 3-2 win over Real Betis in the second match of the season, coming off the bench to deliver an important performance. Since then, Isco has been invisible whenever he’s played, and he is averaging even fewer key passes per 90 minutes than Ferland Mendy, for example, according to WhoScored.com.

Isco is no longer a key part of the weekly gameplan for Zinedine Zidane, and it is time for him to leave the club. The Andalusian midfielder has seen the writing on the wall, as he requested a transfer in January.

According to MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid were “caught off guard” by Isco requesting a transfer in the middle of the season. They must have thought that for all the years Isco decided to stay without requesting to leave, he wouldn’t suddenly change his heart.

Maybe he saw how James Rodriguez is doing at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti and wants to have similar success elsewhere. James has flourished as the focal point of a mid-level Premier League side that suddenly doesn’t look so mid-level with the new direction. Isco, for his part, has been linked to the Toffees, though Ancelotti himself had strong words denying the rumors.

Real Madrid will have to work to find a willing transfer partner for Isco, though teams should be interested. There are several Premier League sides who could use Isco’s skill on the ball and passing ability, and he does have an eye for goal with his mid-range curlers. A team must take the good with the bad, but if they can afford Isco’s salary, the positives weigh more for sure.

Finally, Real cannot be choosy with the offers they receive. Isco has made his intent to leave clear, and he will not want to waste time in Madrid now. Los Blancos will not be lowballed, but they must be realistic with what they can fetch in this market. They may be surprised at the transfer request, but given how little Isco has played and how much better he would do elsewhere, they really shouldn’t be shocked.