Lionel Messi has demanded that Barcelona make Isco their number one target in the summer, reports theSunday Express.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to offer Ivan Rakitic to Real Madrid in order to land Isco in the summer. The Spanish midfielder has endured a difficult time at the Santiago Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane.
Isco is planning on leaving. He's refused Madrid's first offer, he does not want more wages but more playing time. (MARCA) pic.twitter.com/i6eaITKcW8
The Catalan giants are willing to offer Rakitic in a swap deal for Isco in order to appease their Argentinian talisman. The Croatian has struggled under Luis Enrique and has previously been linked with Premier League giantsManchester City and Manchester United. Rakitic has featured 141 times for Barcelona, scoring 21 goals in the process since he was signed from Sevilla in 2014.
Real wanted to sign the the Croatian international, who has been capped 82 times by his country, in 2015 and could find the prospect of a summer transfer too good to turn down. Barcelona chiefs are believed to feel that losing Rakitic won't be a huge loss if they manage to land Isco. Isco has been capped 17 times for Spain and scored two goals for his country. In his time in Madrid, the playmaker has made 173 appearances and scored 27 goals.
Messi's contract is due to expire next summer and a renewal hasn't been signed yet, so the Luis Enrique's side will want to do everything in their power to ensure that Messi signs on the dotted line and stays at the Nou Camp.