Forgotten five-time Champions League winner available for measly release clause – and he's tearing it up at Real Betis | The Sun
A MULTI-TIME Champions League winner continues to enjoy a stunning career resurgence – and he could be available for a bargain transfer price.
The 31-year-old attacker has 38 caps for Spain and has had an incredible career thus far.
Having started out at Valencia, he eventually made his big breakthrough at Malaga following a switch in 2011.
And his performances during his two years there eventually earned him a dream move to Real Madrid.
He went on to lift Europe’s biggest prize no less than five times during his nine-year spell at the Bernabeu as well as LaLiga on three occasions.
The man in question is, of course, Isco.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
POWER UP
Get £40 in free Bet Builder bets when you stake £10 on football with Paddy Power
OUT OF TOON
I lived my dream at Newcastle but now I'm unemployed – I still go to training
The star played over 250 times for Los Blancos and scored 37 goals as he also added four Fifa Club World Cups, three Uefa Super Cups, a trio of Spanish Super Cups and a Copa del Rey to his haul of silverware.
However, after making just 14 LaLiga appearances in his final season, he was released upon the expiry of his contract in June 2022.
That allowed him to have his pick of clubs as a free agent – but it was eventually Sevilla that won the race for his signature.
Upon signing, Isco said: “It's a team with a style of play that I love and hopefully we can win titles.
Most read in Football
LOOS HITS OUT
Rebecca Loos says David Beckham showed ‘naughty’ texts to laughing pals
BOBBY DAZZLER
Bobby Charlton’s rise from Munich disaster to become ‘better than Pele’
GONE TO POTT
Axed Chelsea boss Potter in running for Man Utd job if Ratcliffe sacks Ten Hag
SIBLING RIVALRY
Bobby’s relationship with brother Jack from triumph to growing apart
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
“I've chosen Sevilla among the many offers I have because from a sporting level is what interested me the most.
“It's a team that competes, that wants to play football well, plays in the Champions League, a club that is constantly growing.
“It's the best team to show my football again. I want to keep winning and that's why I'm here.”
MONCHI ROW
That switch saw him link up with former Spain and Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui but it emerged that transfer chief Monchi was not as much of a fan.
After just four months and 19 appearances, Isco was heading for the exit door – with Monchi publicly claiming that the attacking midfielder wanted to leave.
Isco has since denied this in an explosive interview and claimed that he and Monchi, who now works for Aston Villa, even came to physical blows.
He said: “I told [Monchi] that he was the most deceitful person I had ever met in the world of football and he attacked me.
“He came towards me, took me by the neck and security had to separate us completely. As you will understand, after that, I did not want to continue there under any circumstances.
“And although I was sorry, because I had a very good relationship with my team-mates and the fans treated me wonderfully, I couldn't be comfortable in a club where the sports director attacks me and nobody speaks up or apologises.
“Not because of the aggression, not because of all the lies he was leaking. So I forgave my contract and left. Overcoming the barrier of violence is not something that I could let go.”
RESURGENCE
Isco then spent over six months unemployed after a transfer to Union Berlin collapsed during the January window.
He was linked with a move to the Premier League as both Arsenal and Tottenham were keen but he penned a contract with Sevilla’s bitter rivals Real Betis instead this summer – and he has returned to incredible form since.
He recorded his latest man of the match performance in this weekend’s 1-1 draw at Getafe and has scored two goals in 12 games.
Now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on his situation on social media – and he revealed the bargain release clause included in his package.
He wrote: “His contract is valid until June 2025, it will be extended until 2026 if he plays at least 25 games.
Read More on The Sun
Tent trick
Rain doesn't stop me from drying my clothes outside – my method's tried & tested
THAT'S A WRAP
Quality Street fans mourn 'part of Christmas gone' after Nestle makes change
“In that case, release clause would be included for €10m.”
And that means that a host of top clubs could be queuing up again to try and snap him up for a reduced fee should his rich vein of form continue.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football
Source: Read Full Article