Real Madrid star Isco rubbishes rumours of a move to Barcelona after playing bit-part role at Bernabeu
Playmaker has just over a year left on his current deal but claims rumours have just been invented to kill time during the international break
Real Madrid star Isco has angrily rubbished rumours of a move to Barcelona after playing a bit-part role at the Bernabeu this season.
The attacking midfielder blaming desperation to kill time during the international break for the “invented” rumour of his departure.
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But what cannot be escaped is the Spain international playmaker has just over a year on his current deal left at Real and is struggling for game time under Zinedine Zidane.
The 24-year-old has already admitted his concern at his lack of minutes, prompting reports that fierce La Liga rivals Barca were poised to swoop in on a free transfer in the summer.
Premier League clubs are also interested in Isco, in particular north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham who are often mentioned as possible destinations.
But he came out publicly after Spain's 4-1 win over Israel in World Cup qualifying last night - in which he scored - to distance himself from the talk.
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He said: "We are exposed to this all the time, to everything, rumours and all, so we're used to it.
“Now that there's little football going on people have to make rumours up, I don't know why.
“I only talk on the field and I try to do my best for the team.”
Barcelona stars Andres Iniesta and Denis Suarez have both said they would like their club to move for Isco if he decided to become the first player to leave Real for Barca since current Nou Camp boss Luis Enrique did so in 1996.
Iniesta said: "He is a fantastic player, with an incredible talent.
";For many years he has been done things very well and he is in one of the best teams there is.
"He is an important player not just in the national team but in his club. He is young and has many years to grow and improve."