Liverpool inquire about Isco as Real prepare Rodriguez raid

Liverpool, 10/1 with Coral for the Premier League title, have made enquiries over the availability of Real Madrid attacking midfield Isco, following the Champions League holders’ swoop for Toni Kroos and their reported interest in Monaco star James Rodriguez.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers wants former Malaga man Isco, 22, to bolster a squad which will once again challenge on four fronts this season, according to tabloid gossip columns. The capture of Kroos and lining up of Rodriguez by Real means Isco will fall down the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

He will want regular football to ensure a Spain recall after missing out on their World Cup capitulation. Isco, who has two senior caps, was heavily linked with Manchester City last summer, because Etihad boss Manuel Pellegrini coached him at Malaga, but he instead opted to move to Madrid.

Capable of operating off either flank or in behind, Isco has drawn comparisons with current City star David Silva, but a switch to Liverpool would soften the blow of Luis Suarez’s sale to Barcelona.

Recruitment at Anfield has happened en masse this summer with France forward Loic Remy, Croatia defender Dejan Lovren and young Belgium attacker Divock Origi the latest moves that are nearing completion. Rodgers has already netted Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, Germany Under-21 midfielder Emre Can and Serbia winger Lazar Markovic.

A left back remains a priority for Reds boss Rodgers, but Isco would create real competition for places in the supporting cast. Italian forward Fabio Borini and Morocco winger Oussama Assaidi look set to make new homes at other Premier League clubs, Sunderland and Stoke City respectively, where they spent last season on loan.

These exits free up squad space which Isco could occupy. He would still have Phillipe Coutinho, Lallana, Markovic and Raheem Sterling to contend with for a first-team place, however. Real haver already sold Isco’s former Spain Under-21 teammate Alvaro Morata to Juventus for a reported £15.8m, so could be willing to do likewise with him.

Liverpool are 20/1 chances to win the Champions League. Coral are also offering special odds of 4/1 that Isco joins them before the summer transfer window slams shut.