Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has put an end to rumours that midfield playmaker Isco could be set to depart the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with the Spanish international, with the 25 year old having had his game time restricted in recent weeks.
Don Balon had reported earlier this month that City were prepared to pay €150m (£133m) for Isco. However, Zidane says the midfielder will not be moving anywhere. He is quoted by TeamTalk as saying:
“I want Isco [in my team] and I want him to spend his whole life here. It’s a lie that I want Isco to be sold in the summer. Hopefully we won’t hear any more of this.”
The Spaniard has not started a game since he returned from a hip injury at the start of this month, and he was again used as a substitute in Real’s 5-2 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday evening.
Isco is still a key player for Zidane, having made 32 appearances in all competitions under the Frenchman this season. His return of seven goals and six assists is also not far behind the 11 goals and ten assists he managed last campaign.
Chelsea face Real’s rivals Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League this month, in a match that football betting markets have them as huge outsiders at 14/5 to win the home leg, let alone the whole tie.
