Real Madrid 'hoping to shift Isco, James Rodriguez'

AS claim the president has been unimpressed with the pair this season, Rodriguez for not performing the way a €80m signing should and Isco for not taking his chances under Zinedine Zidane.

Rodriguez was on thin ice after he didn’t get along with Zidane’s predecessor Rafa Benitez and with no improvement since Zidane took over, it is suggested Perez has lost patience.

There is also reported dissatisfaction with Rodriguez pushing for a new contract after only one season at the club, especially given his below-par performances.

Isco’s case is different and relates to his recent display of petulance when substituted at Las Palmas is what has tipped the balance against him.

He also caught the evil eye when he appeared reluctant to celebrate a goal against Levante shortly after he came off the bench.

Reports in Italy say Juventus are keen on Isco and are trying to use Alvaro Morata to convince the midfielder to go to Turin, but Pep Guardiola may also want him at Manchester City, with a €45m fee mooted.

Madrid may try to recoup the €80m they paid Monaco in 2014 for James, with Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester United and City mentioned.

This one has simmered along for a while now. Indeed, our Euro Papers report from earlier in March carried almost exactly the same story.

But how would Real Madrid fill the vacated space? Chatter of them signing Eden Hazard has mellowed after the Chelsea man's indifferent displays, while it's unlikely Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can be morphed into a central attacking midfielder.

When Cristiano Ronaldo departs Madrid - or his decline begins - both Isco and Rodriguez will have the opportunity to contribute more. Indeed, they may flourish without worrying about their team-mate's personal pursuit of goals. It just seems silly to cast them aside at this stage, when there are few obvious replacements and are both still aged under 25.