Transfer Gossip: Isco, Fabinho, Pepe

Sport360 staff 08:52 23/05/2017
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  • With the European leagues over for yet another season, the attention turns firmly to the summer of transfer speculation.

    Here, we look at three key transfers that could happen as clubs and players alike look for new moves and opportunities.

    Could any of these deals happen?

    Share your thoughts with us, get in touch on Twitter and via Facebook.

    ISCO

    The Real Madrid superstar has reassured the club’s faithful he will be staying at the club.

    Isco, who has been instrumental this season and played a key role in Los Blancos’ domestic and European success, is set to extend his current deal at the Bernabeu – which is due to expire at the end of next season.

    “I spoke with the club about speaking at the end of the season and that’s close now. The fans should be calm, I’m staying,” he is reported as saying by Sport following Real’s La Liga-clinching triumph at Malaga.

    Whites boss Zinedine Zidane has made no secret of his admiration for the midfielder, who at the start of the campaign, had actually been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital.

    RATING: 3/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: No midfielder has been involved in more goals than Isco in La Liga this term (10 goals, eight assists) and the 25-year-old is a key man for Real moving forward.

    Isco’s having a Disco.

    FABINHO

    Atletico Madrid want to hijack Manchester City’s bid to sign defender Fabinho.

    Pep Guardiola’s men were thought to be the front-runners to land the versatile Monaco star but Atleti have now declared their interest in signing the 23-year-old, says Marca.

    Fabinho, who previously played for Real Madrid, helped Monaco to Ligue 1 title success this term and has no shortage of admirers.

    One sticking point for Atleti is that they are still awaiting news of their transfer ban appeal, and if it is rejected, it means the Red and Whites will be unable to sign players over the next two transfer windows.

    For Brazilian Fabinho, he is reportedly happy at the French champions.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: After a fine season, Fabinho is certainly a wanted man and it remains to be seen whether Monaco can keep their team of stars together.

    On the move?

    PEPE

    Real Madrid centre-back Pepe is in no rush to make a decision over his long-term future.

    The experienced star is out of contract at the end of the season, and with no new offer on the table, it is expected the 34-year-old will end his decade-long affiliation with the Santiago Bernabeu club.

    However, Pepe is prepared to wait and see whether Real propose new terms to him before his existing deal finishes at the end of June.

    “I am happy and I am 100 per cent able to play [in Cardiff against Juventus],” he told Marca.

    “The [Champions League] final is on June 3, and I have a contract until June 30. As I have always said, I am going to wait for Real Madrid until the very end.”

    The Portuguese has been widely tipped to join Inter Milan in the close season.

    RATING: 9/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: Pepe has been a tremendous servant to Real Madrid but this will certainly be his final campaign in the Spanish capital.

    Great servant: Pepe.

    WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING

    Once again, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez’s future is discussed throughout the UK media with numerous outlets suggesting he is on the brink of joining Bayern Munich. It’s a case of watch this space.

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