Real Madrid hoping to tempt Arsenal or Everton into buying Isco after putting midfielder up for sale in transfer window

REAL MADRID are reportedly hoping to start a bidding war between Arsenal and Everton for out of favour midfielder Isco.

Spanish outlet El Confidencial claim Los Blancos have put the Spaniard up for sale.

It’s claimed Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful of reuniting with the midfielder, who worked under him during his time in charge of Real Madrid.

Arsenal could also be keen on a deal for £20million-rated Isco.

The 28-year-old could be a good fit for the Gunners who have been desperate to sign a new creative midfielder.

The Gunners failed in a bid to land Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar over the summer but are said to be interested in reviving a deal in January.

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The north Londoners currently have Dani Ceballos on loan for a second successive season from Madrid.

Arsenal had made Isco a top target under former boss Unai Emery back in 2019 and faced competition from Manchester City – where Arteta was assistant manager at the time.

The former Malaga star ultimately decided to stay at Madrid but has once again been linked with the exit door after a lack of game time this season.

Everton are still thought to be leading the race, with Ancelotti keen to reunite him with James Rodriguez.

Isco has made just three starts this term under Zinedine Zidane – his most recent being the 4-1 humbling to Valencia.

Named on the bench for last month’s Clasico, the playmaker was heard joking about his boss in the stands before the game.

Movistar TV cameras picked up Isco seemingly telling team-mates: “If [Zidane] has to take me off, he takes me off in the 50th or 60th minute, sometimes at half-time.

“If he has to bring me on, he brings me on in the 80th minute.”