KEY POINTS

  • Los Blancos officials want him to move to secure regular time elsewhere.
  • Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly called the Spaniard to convince him to move to White Hart Lane.
Isco
Isco may move on loan to Tottenham Getty

Real Madrid star Isco may consider a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur or Malaga before the transfer window closes tonight (31 August) after a personal approach by Mauricio Pochettino, according to AS. The Spanish publication however claims the midfielder still remains hesitant about leaving Los Blancos contrary to club officials' advice so as to secure more playing time.

The 24-year-old playmaker moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2013 after garnering a reputation as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Spanish football. He enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at the La Liga giants but his playing time was restricted last season after Zinedine Zidane opted to change the formation to a 4-3-3, deploying Casemiro alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos behind the 'BBC'.

Isco and James Rodriguez were subsequently restricted to a secondary role in Real Madrid's run to the Champions League title. The future of the duo have come under increasing scrutiny throughout the summer after Zidane recalled Marco Asensio to the Santiago Bernabeu after his successful loan spell at Espanyol.

The Spanish starlet was originally expected to be on loan once again to continue his development. However, Zidane changed his plans after Asensio became one of the sensations of the season. Then, it was claimed Real Madrid was ready to part ways with James amid Chelsea interest.

The French boss has denied James' departure, leaving Isco's future up in the air as the transfer window draws to a close. The Mirror recently reported that Tottenham were considering a loan move for the Spanish international for the rest of the 2016-2017 campaign, with an option to buy him next summer.

Marca supported the claims on Tuesday (30 August) as AS reported that the move to White Hart Lane was still on the table despite a few hours before the transfer window closes.

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AS claims that Real Madrid officials have told Isco to move on loan somewhere else to secure regular football, after falling down the pecking order behind Asensio, James, Lucas Vazquez and Mateo Kovacic.

The Spanish publication also claims that Isco's priority remains staying at Real Madrid but would only consider Tottenham or a return to Malaga if he was forced to leave.

According to AS Pochettino has called Isco to try to convince him to make the move, offering Champions League action as a sweetener. However, Isco is said to be doubtful about a move to England and would prefer a return to Malaga.