Real Madrid reverse course during Isco negotiations

GIJON, SPAIN - MARCH 24: Francisco Roman 'Isco' of Spain celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Spain and Israel at Estadio El Molinon on March 24, 2017 in Gijon, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
GIJON, SPAIN - MARCH 24: Francisco Roman 'Isco' of Spain celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Spain and Israel at Estadio El Molinon on March 24, 2017 in Gijon, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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Isco may stay at Real Madrid for the long haul

Real Madrid clearly have a love/hate relationship with Isco. For the time being, it seems that Los Blancos have shifted their philosophy towards falling in love with the silky midfielder once again.

Reports from Spain claim that the club have offered Isco a massive new contract to keep Isco with Real Madrid for the long haul. There’s been no immediate response from Isco’s camp. They’ve previously seemed quite content to wait until this summer to fully engage in new contract talks.

It’s pretty easy to understand why Real Madrid have taken such a drastic step. They’ve opted to offer Isco a six-year contract just days after reports surfaced of Barcelona’s interest in his services. We reported last week that the Catalan giants were willing to pay Isco as much as £20 million if he’d wait and join them on a free transfer.

The only challenge with that idea is that it would require Isco to play an extra lame duck season under Zinedine Zidane. The French manager would likely bury him on the bench if he made that sort of agreement with their arch rivals. Quite literally, it would cause Isco to waste one of the prime years of his career.

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Credit Real Madrid for doing more than just threatening him with being ostracized from the squad. Instead, they’re making a good faith effort to keep him in their squad. I suspect that gesture will make a strong impression on the talented Spaniard.

His willingness to sign the deal should still boil down to assurances over playing time though. It’s hard to blame him for being frustrated at how he’s been yanked in and out of the lineup by Zidane. A player of his caliber would be a regular starter for almost every big club in Europe. Unfortunately, Real Madrid might be one of the rare exceptions.

Next: Barcelona offer to pay Isco to quit Real Madrid

Just chalk this up to the latest episode of the transfer saga between Isco, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Chances are there are quite a few twists and turns left before the story of the classy Spanish midfielder reaches its conclusion.