It’s that time of year, isn’t it? Reports of the transfer variety are coming thick and fast as we count down the days until the January window opens and Diario Gol from Spain have an interesting update regarding Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as Manchester City, and Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

What’s the story?

Diario Gol, running a story regarding Isco’s situation under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, claim the Premier League trio are all interested in the Spain international, and are even willing to double his salary to lure him away from the La Liga juggernauts. The report makes reference to the 24-year-old being happy in Madrid, but also claims that he’s made his manager aware (presumably via his agent) that ‘tempting offers’ for his services are out there, which has put his immediate future in doubt.

Isco again?

The ex-Malaga and Valencia man is a gossip column favourite, with English teams often the ones most heavily aligned with him. Indeed, Manchester City have been linked with the pass-master for… well… ages, with his relationship with their ex-manager Manuel Pellegrini, whom he worked under at Malaga, having fuelled the fires of speculation. Spurs have been the Prem club most recently linked, but the notoriously frugal north Londoners’ potential summer swoop for him failed to come to fruition.

How would he fit at Chelsea, Arsenal or Man City?

Chelsea: This really is an interesting one. With Cesc Fabregas struggling for game time under Antonio Conte, it seems Isco is not the most logical of targets. Granted, he has more pace and is a lot more mobile than his compatriot, but he’s not entirely suited to playing in either Nemanja Matic or N’Golo Kante’s roles, while he’s not a similar style of player to Eden Hazard or Pedro - who have been so effective either side of Diego Coata in attack.

Arsenal: What do Arsenal need? That’s right, another creative midfield player. However, with Santi Cazorla’s career coming towards its close, there is some sense in targeting Isco, who could, much like the Gunners man, use his range of passing from a deeper central role. It’s vogue in football right now to convert No.10s to play in more reserved positions, and the Real ace has the skills to perform effectively in the engine room.

Man City: Perhaps Man City could be the best fit of the three. Pep Guardiola appears to be a manager well-versed in getting the most from tactically intelligent and technically adept stars, and despite his Madrid affiliation now, Isco himself is likely (as any top player would be) to be tempted by working with one of the game’s great coaches. In a similar fashion to Cazorla at Arsenal, he could be David Silva’s heir at the Etihad Stadium.

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