Real Betis set to sign Isco

Real Betis are on the brink of signing former Real Madrid playmaker Isco Alarcon on a free transfer.

Soon after joining Real Sociedad in the race to capture the 31-year-old’s services, Los Verdiblancos have made a crucial breakthrough to lure the experienced midfielder to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the ex-Spain international has already completed the ‘main part of his medical’ and will soon put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

Isco won’t be moving a muscle this summer after spending last season at Betis’ arch-rivals Sevilla, with Los Rojiblancos releasing him after only six months.

After ending a prolific nine-year association at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, the Spaniard moved to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to rekindle his career.

However, he only amassed 12 La Liga starts for the record-time Europa League champions without finding the net before Sevilla terminated his contract in December 2022.

Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin came close to luring Isco away from his homeland in January, but the move collapsed at the 11th hour as the Germans couldn’t afford his wages.

Without tangible offers during the winter, he has spent the entire 2023 working alone to stay in shape in anticipation of potential bids in the summer.

Despite attracting interest from Sociedad amid David Silva’s uncertain future in San Sebastian, Isco has opted for Betis to reunite with his former Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini introduced the versatile forward into Malaga’s senior squad, establishing him as one of Europe’s hottest young prospects, which earned him a €30 million move to Madrid in 2013.

The 69-year-old manager could be offering his pupil a last-ditch attempt to rescue his career in La Liga after several years on the fringes at the Santiago Bernabeu and an equally disappointing time at Sevilla.

It’s no wonder Betis wanted Isco. He boasts identical characteristics to Sergio Canales, who left the country to link up with Liga MX side Monterrey last week.