Barcelona are reportedly monitoring the situation of Real Madrid midfielder Isco, who will be out of contract with the La Liga leaders at the end of the season.

According to a report from Catalan publication El Nacional, Barcelona are keeping tabs on Real Madrid playmaker Isco who is set to become a free agent at the end of the ongoing campaign.

Isco signed for Real Madrid from fellow Spanish outfit Malaga in the summer of 2013  and has since been part of a hugely successful outfit, winning hosts of titles and trophies. And while he was an integral part of the success early in his tenure, the 29-year-old has seen his stock decline over the past few years.

Isco fell down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane and things haven’t looked like improving under the new management of Carlo Ancelotti either. Although he did score in the win against Mallorca earlier this week, the Spanish international’s prospects of regular playing time look bleak.

And with Isco in the final year of his contract with Los Blancos, naturally speculations over his future have been rife. There has been plenty of interest in his services from Serie A, while Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyon are also considering a swoop for the playmaker. Now, in a huge and surprising development, Barcelona, too, have shown an interest in Isco, as per the report.

What next for Isco? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
What next for Isco? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Catalan giants had been eyeing a swoop for the 29-year-old while he was still at Malaga before his switch to Real Madrid. There had been murmurs of interest in the recent past as well, but a reported ‘anti-Barcelona clause’ in Isco’s contract with the Merengues meant that the chances of a transfer were shot down completely.

However, that could change now with the 38-time capped Spanish international’s contract expiring at the end of the season. Barcelona are in a major state of transition with things not working out under Ronald Koeman. The attack is looking bleak and devoid of any ideas following the departure of Lionel Messi.

With Philippe Coutinho not making the most of his chances, adding another creative midfielder could do Barcelona some good, which is why links with Dani Olmo continue to keep doing the rounds. And while Isco would fit the bill, it is unlikely that a move for a Real Madrid player is likely to appease the fans, who, as it is, are frustrated with how things are at the club.

So, a move for the Spanish international, even if it would be on a free transfer, is unlikely to materialise next summer.

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