Real Madrid star Isco is once again being linked with a transfer to Chelsea.
Having performed a key role in helping Los Blancos seal a La Liga and Champions League double in the 2016/2017 campaign, the Spaniard struggled to establish himself in Zinedine Zidane's starting XI for key games last season and has started only five league games so far this term.
His situation hasn't been helped with the change of manager last month as Julen Lopetegui was replaced by Santiago Solari.
Following a poor start to the season, the former midfielder has set about changing things at the Santiago Bernabeu in a bid to get the squad firing in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era.
One of those changes has seen Isco's playing time reduced over the past month.
The 26-year-old's last start for Madrid was in the El Clasico defeat away at Barcelona and he's yet to be included in a starting XI under the new regime.
Following his surprise omission from the matchday squad against AS Roma in the week, speculation over his future has started up again and reports claim the Blues could take advantage.
It's been suggested that Maurizio Sarri wants to make Isco his marquee signing in the January transfer window, but could face competition from Napoli and Carlo Ancelotti.
Interestingly, Spanish publication Marca have detailed three possible reasons as to why Isco's future at Real Madrid is up in the air.
One is that he refused to shake Solari's hand in the dressing room after the 3-0 defeat at Eibar last weekend, another is the friction and tension which continues to escalate between the pair and a lack of intensity in training from the attacking midfielder.
Whether Isco is allowed to leave in January or is able to force his way into Solari's plans in the coming weeks does remain to be seen, but it's certainly a situation worth keeping close tabs on.
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