Real Madrid Transfer News: Isco Feels Betrayed, Gareth Bale Fuels Exit Rumours

Isco is reportedly running out of patience with Real Madrid and manager Rafa Benitez after being named as a substitute for Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

The Spaniard has been a rare shining light for Madrid this term, filling the boots of the injured James Rodriguez with a string of excellent performances and arguably doing enough to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, as we see below:

That’s exactly what Isco himself thought too, according to Marca, and when James was selected instead of him, he reportedly felt betrayed.

Frustration clearly got the better of him when he replaced his Colombian team-mate midway through the second half, as he kicked out at Barca forward Neymar to earn himself a straight red card.

Violent conduct isn’t exactly part of Isco’s game, and former Liverpool player John Arne Riise commented that the Spaniard’s head had gone:

Benitez surprised many with his Galactico-filled lineup for El Clasico, but perhaps one man who shouldn’t have been shocked was Isco.

Sure, he did more than enough to earn a place in the starting XI, but Marca reported he’s starting to believe he’ll never be an automatic choice at the Bernabeu.

With that in mind, fans won’t welcome rumours that Arsenal are preparing a bid for the 23-year-old and are prepared to give him regular football, per Fichajes (via George Bellshaw of Metro).

Whoever holds the Real Madrid hot seat for the remainder of the season—whether Benitez or a replacement—needs to tread carefully with Isco. He’s a fan favourite for good reason, but unless first-team action is assured at the Bernabeu, he could soon be packing his bags.

Another player who could well be heading for the Bernabeu exit door is Gareth Bale, who recently told Jonathan Liew of the Telegraph he’s missing life in the United Kingdom.

The Welshman said he longs for his favourite tea bags, chocolate and restaurants from his home nation, as well as the vernacular: "The language is probably the one thing I miss the most. Just sometimes being able to have a simple chat with somebody. It’s a lot more difficult to do in Spanish."

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

One team that could give Bale the home comforts he craves is Manchester United, who have one again been linked with landing the forward.

Anthony Kastrinakis of the Sun wrote that if under-fire president Florentino Perez leaves the club, Bale will follow suit—and United are waiting with open arms.

Real Madrid are in desperate need of a reshuffle. Nothing seems to be working on or off the pitch, and fans and players have seemingly just about had enough.

Losing star men such as Isco and Bale won’t exactly put Los Blancos back on the road to redemption, which leaves Perez with plenty of big decisions to make.