The January transfer window may have come and gone, although Everton could well have the chance to finally make a mid-season acquisition by dipping into the free-agent market, amid recent links to Spanish playmaker, Isco.

According to The Times, the Toffees are believed to be interested in signing the 30-year-old following the collapse of his proposed move to Bundesliga high-flyers, Union Berlin, while more recent claims in Italy have suggested that the player would be open to making the move to Goodison Park.

On the face of it, it may well appear something of a coup for the relegation strugglers to be able to snap up a five-time Champions League winner who previously racked up 353 games during his time at Real Madrid.

Equally, there is no doubt that the midfielder is a player who can produce "something special" when in possession - as per pundit Lianne Sanderson - having provided 110 goal contributions during his glittering spell at the Bernabeu, while he also ranks in the top 17% for progressive passes among his European peers.

That being said, however, there may well be those who would question the wisdom of signing a player who only recently saw his contract ripped up by Sevilla after just a matter of months, having only made three starts for Los Blancos last season.

Furthermore, there may also be a feeling that the diminutive maestro is not actually suited to new boss Sean Dyche's style of play, with journalist Paul Brown recently outlining his reservations over that possible move, stating to GIVEMESPORT:

"I fail to see how a player like Isco could possibly fit at Everton under Sean Dyche. He is just not a Sean Dyche type of player at all.”

The signing of such an asset no doubt evokes memories of another high-profile figure to have arrived from Spain in the recent past in the form of Isco's ex-Madrid teammate, James Rodriguez, with the mercurial playmaker having flattered to deceive during his solitary season at the club.

The Colombian was snapped up by the Toffees back in the summer of 2020 during Carlo Ancelotti's time in charge, with the fleet-footed wizard getting off to a dream start after racking up six goal involvements in his first five Premier League appearances.

That bright spell did not last, however, as the one-time-Monaco man ultimately endured an injury-hit remainder of the season, while he was notably criticised by talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, who described the forward's work rate as "non-existent."

While Isco may fair better than his former colleague in that regard - as he ranks in the top 6% for interceptions - he would mirror Rodriguez in being something of a "luxury player", as per pundit Noel Whelan, with that no doubt at odds with Dyche's typically hardworking approach.

In truth, lessons should have been learned by the Rodriguez deal, with it unwise to be sucked in by the prospect of securing a glamour name who may well struggle to make a sustained impact in the side.