Real Madrid Transfers: A key reason Isco may stay in 2021-22

Real Madrid have more than a handful of players who could be transferred in the 2021 summer transfer window, which will truly burst with activity once the European Championships formally conclude this weekend. Though the most intrigue surrounds Manchester United-linked center back Raphael Varane, attacking midfielder Isco is very much another possible notable domino to fall this summer.

The likes of Milan have been linked to the experienced Andalusian, and Isco does not seem to be a player key to Real’s plans. He garnered only about 900 minutes in LaLiga and 100 in the Champions League last season, whereas he was a quality role player for Zinedine Zidane the year before.

But the name that I just mentioned presents an intriguing reason for him to stay in Madrid. That is to say, Isco fell from the pecking order in 2020-2021 despite once being Zidane’s favorites, and the media leaks made it no secret that Isco wanted to consider options outside Madrid.

Nothing materialized, and it will still be difficult for a move to happen this summer. Isco may not garner much of a transfer fee due to his wages and mediocre performances. He is a wild card who should interest teams looking for a creative spark, but how much can they invest in a pandemic?

Isco is among the theoretical beneficiaries of Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment at Real Madrid

The manager situation is the key here. According to Pablo Mendez of AS, Isco is “excited” about the return of Carlo Ancelotti to the dugout and is not going to push his way out of Real Madrid until he discusses things with the returning manager, whom he had success with in a prior stint.

Isco’s circumstance is not much different from a few others, in the sense that his future is tied to Ancelotti’s plans and willingness to work with the player. But an important distinction is that Isco and Ancelotti have successfully worked together. Ancelotti was brought in to “bridge” a true rebuild effort, and it thus stands to reason he knows he is expected to get more out of underperforming veterans.

Yes, Isco is very much included in that list. Based on this report, it seems as though he is willing to give it another go with Ancelotti, and that’s actually a good thing for Real Madrid, even if any hesitancy from him to leave would thwart their hopes of getting some additional cash relief on the transfer market.

Let’s face it. Real Madrid are not going to get much, if anything, out of selling Isco in this economy. And they probably know this about players like him, Gareth Bale, and even Marcelo. That is why they are making nice with these players, even if they know that in an ideal world, they would need to cut them loose, regardless of what they have done in the past.

Isco, though, is a different case in the sense that he was good for Real Madrid in the last two years and is not on the wrong side of 30. At 29, in theory, he is in his prime as an attacking midfielder. And if the Ancelotti angle works out in a way that is mutually beneficial, perhaps we will be talking about Isco as a player revived in a niche role, rather than another “free” transfer.