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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Representatives for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho are reportedly bracing for the possibility of their client being sacked by the Blues.

Continue for updates.

Report: Mourinho Representatives Exploring Contingency Plans

Monday, Oct. 26

In the event Mourinho is dismissed from Stamford Bridge, he may reunite with Inter Milan in Serie A or move on to reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to ESPN.com’s Miguel Delaney. Delaney stated Mourinho’s top choice would be PSG, and the two sides have already been in contact.

Although Delaney indicated there’s no specific ultimatum, Mourinho has been rumoured to be on the precipice of receiving the pink slip recently.

Neil McLeman of the Daily Mirror reported Mourinho could be sacked if the Blues lose next Saturday’s Premier League showdown against Liverpool. The Chelsea boss also made “foul-mouthed” remarks to referee Jonathan Moss at half-time of the Blues’ 2-1 loss to West Ham United this past Saturday, according to the Daily Mail‘s Sami Mokbel.

The incident got Mourinho ejected from the West Ham fixture, and the Football Association hit him with a misconduct charge Monday. Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey spoke about Mourinho’s behaviour after the latter received the infraction, per BBC Sport:

I’ve known him a long time and he wears his heart on his sleeve. But sometimes you have to take a step back and think about what you are saying. When you are criticising the referee and his integrity then we can’t do that. Sometimes it would be good to see Jose be honest and come out and apologise for what he says to referees.

Bleacher Report’s Garry Hayes weighed in on Mourinho’s future and what he has done during his tenure:

If he were to flee to PSG, Mourinho could become the second manager ever to win league trophies in five different countries. A return to Inter would also be a logical move since he’s still in those fans’ good graces. The same can’t be said for the Chelsea faithful at this point—and this is Mourinho’s second stint with the Blues.

Chelsea are 15th in the current table with only 11 points in 10 games after claiming the league trophy in 2014-15. Based on Mourinho’s recent antics and the Blues’ failure to respond to the boss’ leadership, perhaps a fresh start is indeed on the horizon.

One can’t blame Mourinho’s representatives for organising a contingency plan, because it appears as though the writing is on the wall that the 52-year-old’s end with Chelsea is imminent.

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