Bartomeu: We Will Negotiate With Madrid Over Isco

By Joshua Walters

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says he will not hesitate to call on sworn rivals Real Madrid for Isco should club manager, Ernesto Valverde, demand for the player.

Bartomeu tells El Partidazo de COPE he will put rivalry aside and contact his counterpart at Real Madrid, Fiorentino Perez, to negotiate for the Spanish player if his services are needed at the Catalan club.

"Isco? For the sake of Real Madrid, I would speak with the president of Real Madrid [Florentino Perez]."

Isco, who used to be indispensable under former manager Zinedine Zidane, has made 15 appearances out of 22 games in LaLiga, and boast of two goals in the Copa del Ray and one in the Champions League.

Despite acknowledging the rarity in players crossing carpet within these two clubs, Bartomeu insists that he will contact Real Madrid for Isco should his side have the need for the player and the latter agree to move.

"If our coaches asked us for a player and they want to leave Madrid, of course, we would sign them."

"But it has not happened since I'm here."

"There are no non-aggression pacts. Each one tries to make their team more competitive."

Isco has a contract with Real Madrid until 2022, but the player has become a subject of transfer speculations, following his situation at the Bernabeu club.