Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Gareth Bale and Isco Rumours

Real Madrid will reportedly hand a host of players new deals in the wake of their UEFA Champions League triumph, with Gareth Bale and Isco two high-profile men said to be set to extend their stays.

That’s according to Alvaro de la Rosa of AS, who has reported that the Welshman, who was outstanding in the final against Atletico Madrid, will pen a contract until 2021 with Los Blancos. It's suggested Isco is also “to renew,” despite speculation linking him with a transfer away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

“The playmaker has already expressed his desire to continue at Real, and will be waiting eagerly for their call,” de la Rosa added of Isco. He also noted that Pepe, who is committed until 2017, will have to wait until his negotiations start on an extension, while Jese Rodriguez could be sold with a buyback clause included in his deal.

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Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times reported earlier this year that Manchester United were eyeing a £90 million bid for Bale this summer, but this new contract should put an end to any tiny doubts about where the Welshman’s immediate future lies.

De la Rosa stated Bale’s new pay packet will see him become the club’s second-highest earner behind Cristiano Ronaldo, taking home an annual salary of €10 million.

Although punctured with injury problems, it has been a memorable term for Bale whenever he’s been on the field. As noted by Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague during the Champions League final, he seems to be cementing his status as the team’s talisman:

That’s a process the player will be seeking to expedite on the back of a new contract. There have been some prior concerns about whether Bale had what it takes to be a long-term success at Madrid, but he’s answered those doubts emphatically this term. All that prevents him from reaching the heights of the world’s very best are his injury issues.

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People have doubted whether Isco would be part of the club’s future, with Jordi Blanco of Sport saying the midfielder would be sold as part of “Operation Clean” at Madrid. But the initial report indicated the club are willing to put their faith in him.

As noted here by WhoScored.com, although a peripheral figure at times in 2015-16, Isco did make an impression during Madrid’s successful Champions League run:

Isco has the qualities to become a regular at Real Madrid, especially with his main positional rival James Rodriguez falling down the pecking order under the tutelage of manager Zinedine Zidane.

He also showed his qualities in the final. With the game getting frantic against Atletico Madrid, the Spain international came on, got his team up the pitch with his dribbling and helped take pressure off what was a creaking defence. Isco can also do a job in a variety of different positions, meaning he can be extremely useful at different points of the campaign.

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Losing Jese would be a blow to many Madridistas after his emergence through the club’s cantera setup. But as Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC noted, Zidane does seem to be a fan of the player:

After a major triumph, the following summer is always fascinating for any club. Additionally, it’ll be Zidane’s first real chance to reshape the team in his image in terms of recruitment. Bale and Isco are set to survive this process, but you can foresee the Frenchman casting a ruthless eye over other players on the fringes like Jese.

Bale will be expected to kick on again on the back of this contract, but there’s a sense Isco is about to embark on the most critical campaign of his career so far. Now 24, the playmaker will be aware he needs to be playing regular football. If he can add some consistency to his game to match his obvious technical talents, he can find it in the Spanish capital.