Real Madrid: Another player they cannot lose for free this summer
Real Madrid will have to clear out some roster space and wage space in the summer 2021 transfer window. There are a few players who did not make a permanent move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2020 who will need to be jettisoned this summer amidst continued revenue losses during the pandemic.
Gareth Bale is one player who could be forced to leave on a free transfer, if there are even any suitors for him at all. There is hope that he can perform well enough with Tottenham to earn a look somewhere, but because his wages are so high, he can only be “sold” for free. Again, if at all. Because his loan spell with Spurs has been dreadful to this point.
But there is another disgruntled, underperforming attacking player once held in high regard who will be on the transfer list this summer. Andalusian midfielder Isco was a key player for Los Blancos in the second half of their title-winning 2019-2020 campaign, but he has been reduced to a mere 436 minutes in all competitions this season.
Isco must go, but Real Madrid cannot lose him for free. There are rumblings that, along with Bale and Marcelo, Isco will have to leave for free in the summer 2021 transfer window. But that would be a huge missed opportunity for Los Blancos.
Yes, it’s true that Isco is out of form. He has only one assist this season and has not impressed when on the pitch. But how can the 28-year-old have a fair shake to improve his value if he never plays? He requested a transfer this winter, but Real Madrid could not find any suitors due to their high asking price.
Real were under no real pressure to sell him in either the summer or winter, so they could hold out for 50 million euros despite knowing nobody would meet that demand. This upcoming summer, they will have to be more realistic about what they can get for him.
It would be a shame if Real Madrid cannot recoup at least 20 million euros for Isco. He is still in the prime of his career and has a big reputation, which was earned on the strength of his past displays.
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In truth, Isco has not been a top attacking player for a few years, but we saw him perform at a high level in big matches last season against the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City, and PSG. That’s the cream of the crop in Europe, so, surely, a lower-tier Champions League squad or a Premier League side hopeful of entering Europe’s marquee competition will be willing to spend on an experienced and skillful attacking midfielder.