Transfer Centre

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu refuses to rule out Isco move

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 06 February 2019

Barcelona president refuses to rule out Isco move

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says that he is open to negotiating terms with Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez for out-of-favour attacker Isco.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that he is open to the idea of signing Isco from bitter rivals Real Madrid.

The Spanish attacker has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu under Santiago Solari, going more than three months since his last La Liga start.

Isco has instead had to settle for starts in cup competitions and cameo appearances from the bench in the Spanish top flight, leading to rumours that he will be on his way out in the summer.

Barcelona are among the clubs to have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, along with the likes of Manchester City and Juventus, and Bartomeu would be happy to negotiate a deal with opposite number Florentino Perez.

"If our coaches asked us for a player and they want to leave Madrid, of course we would sign them," he told El Partidazo de COPE. "But it has not happened since I'm here.

"There are no non-aggression pacts. Each one tries to make their team more competitive. Isco? For the sake of Real Madrid I would speak with the president of Real Madrid."

Isco's most recent league start for Madrid came in October's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona, and the sides will meet again in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday evening.