Isco will be looking for a new club in January after his move to Sevilla became a nightmare and fell apart within just four months.
The 30-year-old midfielder was given the big build-up by Sevilla when he signed a two-year contract in the summer. Isco joined the club in August after the expiry of his deal with Real Madrid, where he had spent the previous nine years of his career.
At Real, he contributed 53 goals and 56 assists across 353 appearances in all competitions and won a whopping 19 trophies, including three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues. But his fall from grace has been a swift one, with Marca reporting that Sevilla will soon announce his departure from the club.
Sevilla have agreed to terminate his contract early, meaning Isco will soon be a free agent once again. He will leave having contributed just one goal and three assists in 19 games for the club – a paltry return given the status they afforded him upon his arrival in August.
Isco had been linked with plenty of sides over the summer, with Jose Mourinho reportedly particularly keen to bring him to Roma, but he opted for Sevilla. It seemed like a good fit – somewhere he could play more regular football, still at a high level.
When he joined Sevilla were managed by Julen Lopetegui, but that partnership didn’t last long. Lopetegui was sacked on October 5 after a run of one win from the opening 10 games – and, in hindsight, that was already the beginning of the end for Isco.
Lopetegui’s successor, Jorge Sampaoli, has still used Isco, but he has only completed 90 minutes on five occasions all season. Those are not statistics befitting a marquee summer signing.
Isco has been training alone for the past month due to an ankle problem. His unhappiness manifested itself in a row with Sevilla sporting director Monchi, who only signed Isco on Lopetegui’s request. That argument precipitated his current situation.
Isco is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, who will now have to try and find him a new club in the mid-season window. He has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and now seems like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
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Lopetegui is now manager of Wolves, who would therefore appear a likely destination, with Mendes having strong links with the club. But his high wage demands and Wolves’ pursuit of Atletico Madrid midfielder Matheus Cunha could prevent the arrival of Isco.
Arsenal are another potential option. The Gunners have long been linked with Isco, who appears to fit the bill as a Mikel Arteta-style player. The Sun says both Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in taking him as a free agent.
Isco’s father, Paco Alarcon, has previously stated that he “wants to try another league”, opening up the possibility of a move to the Premier League. It could be the opportunity he needs to revive his career after a misstep at Sevilla.
