Real Madrid Transfers: 3 talented players who could be sold to increase funds

AM Isco

Isco will earn the least money in a transfer of the three players on this list, but he’s the most expendable when accounting for his age and lack of a solid place in the Real Madrid lineup. Zinedine Zidane has never looked down on Isco in any way, but this season has been the toughest of the Andalusian’s career in terms of getting on the pitch.

We have seen Isco play well this season, even if his appearances have been infrequent. He was passable as a “false nine” in the first half of the first leg against Atalanta, and he was outright magnificent in the first half of a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in 2021.

There’s a chance he turns it up in the second half of the season like he did in 2019-2020, but that seems doubtful, given his recent usage rate. We probably won’t see another Clasico performance from him like we did last year at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Long-term, Isco’s place in the team is essentially non-existent. Real Madrid must get Martin Odegaard into the XI next season, as he’s been outstanding for Arsenal already. It would be a crime if Zidane and Real wasted Odegaard, having already forced him out on this loan to the Premier League this season, thus leading to questions about his future plans.

Isco’s recent film means that the 28-year-old probably won’t be in high demand, but he has name recognition and the quality to be a great centerpiece for a team at a  lower level than Real Madrid. He could be an even splashier acquisition than James Rodriguez was for Everton, depending on where he ends up.