Isco has told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez his future lies away from the Bernabeu, with Arsenal and Chelsea both interested in acquiring his services, according to reports. 

Spanish football website Fichajes.com (h/t Adam Skinner of the Express) said the gifted 23-year-old desires a “change of scenery,” with the Premier League a potential destination for the talented midfielder.

Fichajes (h/t Skinner) previously reported a move by the Gunners for Isco, saying Madrid coach Rafa Benitez might accept a £36.7 million offer for the player after signing Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan.

The player is said to want first-team football ahead Euro 2016, and the competition at the Bernabeu could see him stuck on the bench. 

However, this hasn’t been the case in the early part of the season, with Isco playing in all of Madrid’s opening nine La Liga games, according to WhoScored.com.

Wenger will face competition from Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho, with the coach registering an interest in Isco last summer, per Fichajes (h/t Skinner.)

Arsenal have a host of attacking midfielders, but Isco fits the bill as a typical Wenger signing. The Gunners coach has hinted he has the money to grab one of Europe’s top talents, after signing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in recent years, with the Independent’s James Orr quoting Wenger as recently saying: “The funds are there, people know that you have the resources, but the players are not available.”

Isco’s intentions will please both Premier League suitors, but Chelsea’s current needs usurp Arsenal’s. Mourinho is suffering the most difficult spell of his career, and the capture of the Spain international would give him the additional creativity he craves. 

Per John Cross and Neil McLeman of the Mirror, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is reportedly a target for Madrid, with there being potential for Isco to move to the Bridge if Mourinho sees value in the Spaniard. 

 

Gunners Lead Race For Higuain

Arsenal will rekindle their interest in Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain after reports in Italy cast the striker’s Serie A future in doubt.

Italian website Calciomercato.com (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star) said the Gunners continue to track the Argentina star, who has a £67.7 million buyout clause in his current deal. 

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri recently said he believed Higuain still has the potential to be the world’s best, as quoted by Tom Webber of Goal.com:

I was honest with him and told him as soon as I had him in pre-season that, for me, he could be the best striker in the world if he can exploit his full potential.

He’s a good guy and a smart player and is working fine. Our relationship is direct and honest and I’m glad he’s doing well, although I always have the belief that he can still improve and get that 10 per cent more out of his great talent.

But the willingness Gonzalo has shown me is the same that the whole squad is demonstrating and I thank them for their application so far.

The 27-year-old is in outstanding form, scoring seven and assisting twice in nine Serie A matches, per WhoScored.

Higuain would give Wenger the world-class option his attack needs, with Olivier Giroud not a consistent option as a forward. 

Theo Walcott has added pace to the striker’s role, but Higuain is in a higher bracket when it comes to scoring on a regular basis. 

The Argentina international would take Arsenal close to Premier League glory, but his addition would come at a huge financial cost for the north London club.

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