Isco, Zinedine Zidane Want New Real Madrid Deal for Midfielder After Alaves Win

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said he wants Isco to sign a new deal with the club and revealed the midfielder is hopeful of staying at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Per Sky Sports, he said: "I want him to renew. He is an important player. He wants to stay here, to play here. I am happy with his performance, not only for the goal but for what he did between the lines, what he helped the others do."

Isco scored in Los Blancos' 3-0 win over Alaves on Sunday. According to ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, Zidane added:

Per Football Espana, the story made Marca's cover on Monday:

Santiago Siguero of Marca, recently reported the playmaker had been offered a six-year deal amid links to Barcelona and Manchester City, while Mundo Deportivo's Fernando Polo (h/t the Daily Star's Marc Williams) added Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to the list of interested parties.

The Mirror's Darren Lewis also reported Tottenham Hotspur were eager to sign him this summer.

Isco's deal expires in little more than 12 months, and he's not a key player for Zidane—he's started 14 La Liga games this season and completed 90 minutes just four times.

Nevertheless, he's managed a return of seven goals and five assists, including his strike against Alaves.

Isco typically plays as a No. 10, but on Sunday replaced Casemiro in central midfield. La Liga writer Andrew Gaffney wasn't overly impressed with his contribution:

However, a change in personnel later in the match allowed the Spaniard to show his abilities in his natural position, as he latched on to a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo and rifled home:

The 24-year-old is a fine player—particularly when playing in his preferred role—who could be starring for virtually any other side in Europe.

While he rarely enjoys that level of importance at the Bernabeu given the calibre of players he has to compete with for game time, he's certainly worthy of a squad role at the very least.

Getting him to sign a new deal will be a strong piece of business for Real, and with both the player and Zidane hopeful he'll stay, it seems likely he will.