Arsenal Transfer News: Isco Bid Readied, Latest Alexandre Pato, Jese Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £22 million move for Real Madrid star Isco.

That's according to Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Metro's Will Giles), with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger supposedly a "keen admirer" of the Spaniard.

The creative midfielder is one of many currently plying his trade at the Santiago Bernabeu and competes for playing time with the likes of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and new signing Mateo Kovacic.

Winger Gareth Bale has also been repurposed by new manager Rafael Benitez to occupy the coveted No. 10 role behind Karim Benzema this season, giving Isco even more competition.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old has started six out of seven La Liga matches this season and both games in the Champions League, albeit largely featuring wide-right rather than in the centre. From that, Isco has managed four assists.

WhoScored.com demonstrates the midfielder's exceptional vision and dribbling ability:

Spanish football experts Sergi Dominguez and Rik Sharma are fans of the player and in the past have lavished high praise on the youngster:

Arsenal notably failed to sign a senior outfield player last summer, and a marquee player like Isco would be an outstanding coup that would go some way to placating their irate fans. However, the Spaniard would be adding to the Gunners' strongest position—attacking midfield.

That said, with Santi Cazorla now 30 and Jack Wilshere perpetually struggling with injury, Isco makes sense as a long-term acquisition.

Per the Mirror's John Cross, Wenger hinted that he may be tempted to again splash the cash as he did on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil:

To land Isco, he'll need to. As Giles' report notes, Los Blancos will likely pursue a higher fee than the reported £22 million.

The Spaniard has a long and bright future ahead, though, so he'd almost certainly be worth paying top dollar for.

One player Wenger isn't likely to splash the cash on is Alexandre Pato, a reported target for the Gunners.

According to Metro's Sean Kearns, Eduardo Ferreira, the deputy director of football at Pato's current club Corinthians, told Brazilian TV show Globo Esporte: "At the moment there are only enquiries. But if a club comes in with an offer of €25 million (18.5 million), we will let him go, otherwise he will return in January."

Andre Penner/Associated Press

The Brazilian striker terrorised defenders in Serie A in his youth with AC Milan, but recent years have been hard on Pato as the forward has returned to his home country rather than fulfil the incredible potential he once showed.

Having only just turned 26 in September and bagged 13 goals and seven assists in 2015, Pato could yet return to European football in a bid to reignite his career and prove himself at the top level once again.

However, he also represents a fairly hefty risk—not something Wenger is known for taking—particularly at that price. Arsenal won't be the team to open the door back to Europe for Pato.

A more realistic proposition could be Real Madrid striker Jese, who is also reportedly a target for the Gunners.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

According to talkSPORT, Arsenal are on "red alert" after the Spaniard's agent told Spanish outlet Marca: "He needs to play more, that's the best way to keep his spirits up. The club will have to make a decision. He's training well, he's strong and has to seize the opportunity when it comes."

However, they could face serious competition for his signature as talkSPORT notes Chelsea are interested, while Inter, Napoli and Aston Villa are also linked with the striker by AS.

The 22-year-old has shown potential with Los Blancos, but his return of 12 goals and eight assists in 59 appearances won't particularly inspire Arsenal fans, who undoubtedly crave a proven, prolific and marquee centre-forward.

Jese isn't likely to unseat Benzema any time soon, though, so a move could be on the cards.

If he could be acquired fairly cheaply, he could be useful, but otherwise, he's not the player Arsenal truly need.