Arsenal Transfer Rumors: No Isco, No Ross Barkley

The future of Arsenal football club may be in complete disarray, but that won’t stop the transfer rumors. Let’s talk about why no Isco means no Ross Barkley.

Arsenal definitely has some needs that must be addressed in the summer transfer window, no matter who the manager is. Particularly in the midfield. We could definitely hope that Jack Wilshere and Jon Toral bring with them a fresh burst of enthusiasm, but sometimes a surefire purchase is the way to ensure progress.

Help is needed in the midfield, particularly the creating department, because Mesut Ozil’s future is in doubt and even his present is fairly underwhelming. He can’t stay healthy and when he is, he just isn’t his 2015/16 self.

Isco has been linked to Arsenal since January of 2014 and I was immediately smitten with the prospects. Another immensely talented Spaniard with a background at Malaga to join this talented midfield? Sounds like a long-term Santi Cazorla. Can’t possibly go wrong, right?

Well, unfortunately, we are over three years past that original link and he remains at Real Madrid. It is being reported that the Gunners simply do not want Isco, which makes me batty.

Instead, they are being freshly linked to Ross Barkley. Another under-performing Englishman that no one can solve.

Seems like a much better option than Isco, right?

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Absolutely not. Barkley compounds on the recurring problems that Arsenal already have – Englishmen who can’t stay healthy, can’t stay consistent, and yet have gobs and gobs of “potential.” Eventually you have to wonder if the overemphasis on English players is at fault here.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s history of landing Spaniards is far more promising. Again, it’s impossible not to think about Santi Cazorla. He is the man most missed this season because of his technical ability, stoutness on the ball, and ability to link winning the ball back with pushing the attack forward.

To me, the track record of Spaniards of that ilk should take precedence over an English midfielder who hasn’t made the most of his supposed talents.

Isco is just like Cazorla, just bigger. He is sound on the ball, he is technically strong. He does what Cazorla does, and he is younger. Plus, he is so obviously available that a massive price tag would make zero sense.

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Everton, meanwhile, would definitely be looking for a bigger price tag. Barkley is, after all, their golden boy and he is English (in case you missed that memo). I mean, just look at what they got for John Stones as an indication. If we aren’t interested in Isco, then call off the dogs on Barkley. It isn’t worth it.

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