La Liga duo Real Betis and Real Sociedad are set to go head to head for former Sevilla midfielder Isco, who is currently a free agent.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has asked sporting director Ramon Planes to try and sign the Spanish playmaker, who has been training alone since leaving Sevilla.
The former Manchester City manager wants Isco to replace Sergio Canales, who has completed a €10 million move to Mexican outfit CF Monterrey.
Pellegrini worked with Isco during his time as Malaga’s head coach, and the Chilean tactician believes he can get the Spaniard firing on all cylinders again despite being on the wrong end of 30.
However, he will face competition from Sociedad, who have identified Isco as a replacement for David Silva.
The 37-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a recent training session, and he is expected to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Silva is reportedly contemplating hanging up his boots from professional football following the injury setback, and Sociedad want his Spanish counterpart Isco to replace him at the Estadio Reale Arena.
Isco joined Sevilla after nine trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, but he cut ties with Los Nervionenses after just five months following a fallout with the club hierarchy.
The 31-year-old attacker has since been offered to a plethora of clubs across Europe, including AS Roma, Salernitana, Konyaspor, Everton and Union Berlin, but there have been no takers.
The Spanish playmaker appears poised to return to La Liga this summer amid concrete interest from Betis and Sociedad, who are looking for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Isco’s salary demands have posed a problem for several of the clubs he has been linked with, and the Spaniard is still waiting for a suitable proposal from interested parties.
However, he may need to lower his demands to facilitate a move to one of Betis or Sociedad this summer.
