Liverpool Transfer News: Isco and Pedro Eyed by Brendan Rodgers, Arsene Wenger

Liverpool and Arsenal will attempt to draw the misfits of Real Madrid and Barcelona to England this winter as the Premier League pair eye up the creative talents of Isco and Pedro.

Both players are caught in a state of limbo at their respective clubs, struggling to establish prominence among the masses of superstar talent, and Anthony Chapman of the Express writes that Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger can offer more:

"

Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger are both big fans of the versatile playmaker [Isco], but were instead keen on making a move for Barcelona's out-of-favour winger Pedro.

Rodgers and Wenger are still keeping tabs on Pedro's situation, but will now focus on landing Isco, who is understood to be keen to test himself in the Premier League.

"

Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso's departures from the Bernabeu might have left Isco with an increased sense of importance at Real, but the arrivals of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos add new and arguably superior competition.

Similarly, Chapman mentions that Barca's acquisition of Luis Suarez, soon to end his four-month ban from football, has inspired doubt in Pedro regarding his first-team prospects.

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Furthermore, Luis Enrique's priorities in promoting youth starlets Munir El Haddadi, Sandro, Rafinha and Sergi Samper would appear to affect the winger's chances further.

Pedro insists the fight is welcome, however, quoted by the official Barcelona website in saying it only brings positive worth to the squad, remaining confident in his own ability:

"

I might not be getting goals, but I’m happy with the way things are going and I’m sure they’ll start coming. The important thing is that the team is working well. I’m competing with the best strikers in the world and it’s hard to always get in the team. What Munir and Sandro are doing is motivating for all of us. They want to do things right and that’s good for the team. And there’s still Suárez to come. The more the merrier.

"

His attitude may not be so gallant if it means him settling for a place on the sidelines, having played the full 90 minutes in just 10 of his 37 league outings last term, per Squawka.

Per Spanish publication SPORT, Juventus will offer stern competition for the wide man:

Out of Liverpool and Arsenal, one might argue that the Reds are in more need of a player boasting Pedro's skill set, with Daniel Sturridge's injury having reopened the topic of where Rodgers' goals will now come from.

Wenger already added one Barcelona recruit to his roster this summer in the shape of Alexis Sanchez. But it seems yet more ammunition will be sought to give Danny Welbeck and—upon his return from a broken leg—Olivier Giroud help in attack.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Isco has started one of three league fixtures this season, so far a slightly worse ratio than the 23 starts he boasted last term in 32 total La Liga appearances.

Despite failing to tie down an importance on a par with some of Real's higher-profile players, Isco maintains a fine reputation among Los Merengues' support. WhoScored.com shows what a potent playmaker he is:

Still just 22 years of age, the Spanish international would be a sound long-term investment for either the Reds or the Gunners, as Rodgers and Wenger each place a priority on youth in their respective setups.

However, while not necessarily the star men in Spain, neither Isco nor Pedro are likely to leave their respective outfits easily as Real and Barca look to retain a depth in talented options.