Zinedine Zidane has admitted that he understands if Isco wants to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season

Isco admitted earlier this week that he was seriously considering his future at the Santiago Bernabeu and that he would be making a decision on what his next move was at the end of the season, with many seeing that as a sign that he would almost certainly be leaving.

And Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has now only fueled the speculation further by admitting that he understands Isco’s statement, while also adding that he likes Isco as a player although he still considers him a squad player.

“I think it’s understandable and I have no problem with it,” he said, according to Goal. “But I’m sure that he’s fully focused. He’s a very good footballer, I regard him highly and he’s a player that is part of squad rotation. A player could play 25-26 games in a row and then not play. You could ask him and I’m sure he’d say he’s not happy.”

“Isco knows I love him, I love the way he plays. I consider him to be a great footballer.  I have 23 very good players at my disposal. It’s tough. The players understand that. When you drop a player, somebody else takes his place. It’s nothing personal. I believe I have a good squad. All of my players can come in and do a good job.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Francisco Alarcon 'Isco' (L) of Real Madrid CF and Ivan Rakitic (R) of FC Barcelona compete for the ball during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou stadium on December 3, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Fed up at the lack of chances? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Once considered one of the most exciting prospects to emerge out of Spain, Isco was signed by Real Madrid for a hefty fee of £25.5 million from Malaga. He has gone on to make 173 appearances for Los Blancos, and has scored 27 goals.

Manchester City have been heavily linked with him over the past few months and there were even rumours that Isco had already reached a verbal agreement with the Sky Blues, after the Spaniard rejected a contract extension at the Bernabeu.

Guardiola is a huge fan of players with brilliant technique and passing ability and Isco has both of those in spades. With David Silva on the wrong side of 30, Isco could be the man to replace him in the side for years to come.

Barcelona were also rumoured to be plotting a shock move for the Spaniard although in their case it was a question of saving on finances. It was claimed that the Catalans would wait until next January to reach a pre-contract agreement with Isco, whose current contract only runs until 2018.

Andres Iniesta is also reaching the end of his career and Isco seems like the perfect player to replace the legendary Spaniard. However, the move will be mired in complications considering the relationship between the two clubs.

It seems increasingly likely that Isco will leave at the end of the season and Zidane’s own admission that he is a squad player will only further his desire to exit the club. At the moment, it seems like Manchester City is the probable destination for the 24-year old.

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