Isco kept a certain
Gareth Bale out of
Real Madrid's starting XI for much of 2018-20,
so if
Zidane saw something in him then, he must be worth serious consideration.
It's clear that
James Rodriguez won't play 90 minutes for every game this season - or any in the foreseeable future.
When the Columbian isn't on the pitch, his assurance on the ball for team-mates instantly evaporates,
as we're treading new ground in competing passing efficiency with likewise.
So
Isco's presence will be invaluable to our young, willing but inexperienced players.
Finding £18m-£25m for him,
given out worrying 2018-19 expenditure
may be an issue without recouping money from player sales elsewhere.
Moise Kean has found new form in the French capital.
So much so, that a 300% increase in release value may be in
Ancelotti/
Brands/
Moshiri's disposal.
Juventus are now reported to be joining the party in securing
Kean's services -
again, strengthening our bargaining power - IF WE PLAY OUR CARDS RIGHT.
The question now is:
IF
PSG remains
Kean's best present option; then how do our best interests best fit in with the move?
PSG do have many quality players
Paris St. Germain squadincluding
Kylian Mbappe, a 21-year-old forward who has impressed many around
Europe for some time.
The French giants want the
Champions' League badly
and though those irritating
FFP Transfer Rules linger with them as much as they do us,
they have recently let
Cavani go to
Man Utd for free
and won't want to lose the
World Cup winner in 18 months time in similar circumstances.
So they may wish to do business with us.
With who(m) else though?
Who could use
Mbappe if he decides '
with Kean, it's time to tango'?
Barca, for starters.
"No money?" No probs, as
Barca have
Griezmann,
Messi,
Ousmane Dembélé to name just three.
Add a manager who needs no encouragement to splash the cash (as we all know too well),
plus the form dip of a certain
Andre Gomes (whom a brutal, but perhaps necessary decision has to be made)
and those who seek European progression have talent to pick from
all mean negotiations may be being plotted right now by
Brands and
Ancelotti.
And what about us?
There are no positions in our squad where we can claim two world class players in their prime
(let's hope left-back is one very soon, perhaps)
so if they fit in and improve our game's overall performance AND
DON'T leave us the example
UEFA/
FIFA are silently threatening to make,
we need to sensibly snap them up when on offer.
So the £30m-£45m
Isco's acquisition leaves us in credit for may leave the
Burnleys and
Napolis of the market eager to bite upon. It also highlights why the January Winter Transfer Window could be one of the most interesting mid-season business exchanges we've been involved in on both sides for a very long time - whatever the PR politics may lead us to believe at face value...