Arsenal And Manchester City To Chase Real Madrid's Isco

In Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1, there are four attacking places up for grabs. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are not players likely to find themselves on Rafa Benitez's bench any time soon, so really there is just one place available and two world-class players vying for it: James Rodriguez and Isco.

With the Colombian occupying that place more often than not -- and no opportunities presenting themselves deeper, where Toni Kroos and Luka Modric run Madrid's engine room -- Isco has found himself the odd man out.

The Mirror cites Barcelona-based publication Sport as reporting that Arsenal will attempt the pry the €30 million Spanish international away from the Bernabeu. But Manchester City, fresh off spending €200m this summer, will reportedly fight the North London club for Isco's signature.

The report goes on to say that both English clubs have made inquiries with Real Madrid regarding a potential January sale.