Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Sergio Ramos are probably the most famous stars who left the Spanish capital in recent years. But Los Blancos also lost other key contributors to their continental success.

Back in the day, Isco played a pivotal role in an already star-studded Real Madrid team. At some point he was one of the most valuable players on Earth, but those days are clearly far behind him as his price tag suffered a steep decrease.

Isco’s market value went downhill

According to Transfermarkt, the Spanish midfielder reached his highest market value on October 31, 2018, when his stock was €90 million. Flash-forward to October 2023, Isco is worth just €8 million.

Of course, many things happened in between – this significant change did not take place overnight. Five years ago, the Benalmadena-born star was playing at an incredibly high level for one of the biggest clubs on Earth. Now, at 31, he’s trying to get his career back on track at Betis.

But his market value started to decrease shortly after he reached his highest point. In December 2018, Isco’s worth dropped to €75 million. From then on, it went into free fall.

Isco finished 2019 being worth €50 million, and in November 2020, it plummeted to €20 million. He was still 28, but his role at Real Madrid was not the same anymore and that took a toll on his market value. By the time he left the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2022, Isco’s stock had already fallen to just €7.5 million.

Aiming to bounce back

Even though he wasn’t getting any younger, Isco still had time to revitalize his career after leaving Madrid at 30. Sevilla gave him that opportunity, but the veteran midfielder didn’t exactly seize it.

Since he had recorded 53 goals and 57 assists in 353 appearances for the Merengue, the Andalusia-based team thought Isco could fit very well into their plans. Besides, he was available for nothing.

However, he was a shell of himself at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, producing just one goal and three assists in 19 games. The club rescinded his deal after only four months, which eventually made his market value drop to €5m in March 2023.

Curiously, Isco landed a contract with Sevilla’s lifelong rivals Real Betis in the summer, and now is trying to prove his worth again. In 11 games at the Benito Villamarin, the former Real Madrid star boasts two goals and one assist.

Los Blancos, who were relatively quiet a few months ago by only signing David Alaba on a free from Bayern Munich and Eduardo Camavinga for €31m ($35m) from Rennes, have cashed in nearly €80m ($90m) from Raphael Varane‘s transfer to Manchester United and Martin Odegaard‘s move to Arsenal.

But more players could follow their way when the winter transfer market is open. Carlo Ancelotti hasmade abundantly clearwhich namesarepriority, andwith many contracts expiring at the end of the season, El Merengue would like to make moneybefore they leave for nothing.

Report: Bale among players who could leave Real Madrid in winter

According to Marca, there are real possibilitiesthat Gareth Bale and Isco could leave Madrid in January. Both of them are set to become free agents in the summer as Carletto would not be interested in keeping them beyond June.

Therefore, the report claims Real Madrid would listen to offers for any of them during the next month. Club legend Marcelo‘s future is also up in the air with his deal expiring on June 2022.

Meanwhile, Marca adds that the situation ofEden Hazard, Mariano, andLuka Jovic is a bit different because Ancelotti counts on them but the club would be open to receiving offers regardless.

It remains to be seen how many teams will be interestedin paying a fee for any of these players. Bale, Isco, and Marcelo will be available for free in the summer, when Madrid hope to boost their roster with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Unlike in 2013, hedidn’t inherit a squad with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. The outlook was different this time, but that didn’t prevent him from delivering positive results at the beginning of the campaign.

However, the truth is that the club is in rebuild mode as it has its sights set on going all in next summer, hoping to land Kylian Mbappe from PSG, and why not, Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. And to make room for them, a number of players could see the way out.

Real Madrid reportedly prepareclearout: Hazard, Bale top the list

The optimistic start to the season doesn’t seem to change the fact that Real Madrid will continue to make changes in the upcoming transfer windows. It’s not a secret that their intention is to have Mbappe as the face of the new-look Madrid, but in order to achieve that they’d have to reduce their wage bill.

According to As, there’s a list of players who’s future would no longer be at Santiago Bernabeu. We’re talking about Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Isco, Luka Jovic, and Jesus Vallejo. The Belgian star has failed to impress since making a sensational move from Chelsea and his constant injuries have marred his stay at the club so far. It remains to be seen whether he’s givenmore opportunities, but a transfer could be on the cards.

Regarding Bale, it’s been a long time since he last played at his best in a Madrid uniform. Withhis contract running out next summer, the club wouldn’t offer a renewal. That’s the same case for Marcelo and Isco. The Brazilian is a club icon and the Spanishmidfielder has also been part of El Merengue’s successes over the last few years, but they have not been first team regulars for a while. Besides, Madrid would save up a total of €62m oftheir salaries.

Jesus Vallejo wouldbe shown the exit door simply because he doesn’t have room in the team, while Real Madrid apparently wantto cash in for Jovic. The Serbian striker arrived for a mind-blowing €63 million from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 but has never lived up to the expectations. After sending him back to Frankfurton loan, Madrid may want to finally sell him.

Francisco Alarcón‘s best days at the Santiago Bernabeu seem to be way behind him, as he hasn’t been a regular starter since Julen Lopetegui‘s short tenure. Isco did play a pivotal role in Carlo Ancelotti‘s first stint, but now he finds himself in a tough spot with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Federico Valverde, and even Lucas Vazquez ahead of him.

Under thesecircumstances, a transfer might be the best move for all parties involved, as Real Madrid are unwilling to continue affording an expensivesalary for a substitute and Isco would get the playing minutes he is looking for. According to Spanish outlet ABC, the 29-year-old could be on the way out of Madrid with Italian and Englishgiants as possible destinations.

AC Milan

After losing Hakan Calhanoglu to crosstown rivals Internazionale, the Rossoneri were left without a key playmaker in the midfield. ABC cited AC Milan as possible suitors for Isco, given their need for an attacking midfield.

The Spanish player could find at San Siro a relevantrole that guarantees him more playing time and also a competitive club that will play Champions League this season. Milan were also linked to Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos before, but Isco would be a more interesting option. Still, the Italians would have to meet the reported $21 million price tag.

Arsenal

The Spanish newspaper also mentioned Arsenal as one of the Premier League teams who set their sights on Isco. The Gunners have recently spent around $90 million on three signings, so the financial aspect could be a hurdle in their attempts to acquire the Real Madrid player.

They would welcome, however, an offensive weapon like Isco to have some creativity in the midfield after losing Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos, who both returned to Los Blancos following a loan spell in London. The way Arsenal could make this deal work is by raising funds, something they might do by selling Hector Bellerin.

Isco has spent eight seasons at Santiago Bernabeu, having 49 goals and 54 assists in 336 appearances. Last season wasn’t great for him, though, as he only played 29 matches,coming in from the bench in most of them.