Reported Arsenal transfer target Isco is closing in on a contract extension with Real Madrid, likely putting an end to persistent rumours regarding the future of the talented Spaniard.The 22-year-old midfielder is enjoying a fine season for Los Blancos but has nevertheless been linked with a move to the Premier League. According to the Daily Star's Jonathan Green, the Champions League holders will offer Isco a significant rise in wages to keep him in the Spanish capital.Manager Carlo Ancelotti continues to hail his development and contributions, making it clear he is a vital contributor to his side, via AS' Manu Sainz:It's difficult to say which position is best for him because he has shown that he can play in many different positions. He surprised as well when playing in the base of midfield, but I think we have to use him more to attack than to defend. If he is fit, Isco will always play. That is non-negotiable.Isco's rise in the Real hierarchy has been earned after starting the 2014-15 season on the bench behind new arrivals James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. The former Malaga man had been relegated there the year before due to an injury, and his future with Los Blancos seemed to be in doubt the minute Rodriguez made the move from Monaco.An injury to Luka Modric and Gareth Bale's loss of form handed the Spain international a chance, however, and he hasn't looked back since. With Modric set to return to the pitch, ESPN FC's Nicholas Rigg noted the fine play of Isco means things will become more complicated than simply dropping the youngster back to the bench:And if these comments from goalkeeper Iker Casillas are any indication, his team-mates certainly believe Isco should be given as many minutes as possible, via Goal:Isco isn't a budding starhe's consistently been one of Real's top performers the past four months and has firmly established himself as one of the best midfielders in Spain. He is a star, and players of that calibre at that age don't usually leave arguably the best club in the world.Arsenaland a host of other clubswould love to bring a player like that into the fold, but the chances of a transfer transpiring at this point in time are slim to none. And even if he were to move, his price tag would be astronomical.It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds once Modric returns to the squad, but barring a major falling out, don't expect Isco to leave Madrid anytime soon.Things could change should Paul Pogba move to the Spanish capital, however, and according to AS' Sergio Gomez, Zinedine Zidane is pushing hard to make that happen:Zinedine Zidane wants Paul Pogba at Real Madrid and has pressed the club to accelerate his signing. The Frenchman has spent months insisting to Florentino Perez and Jose Angel Sanchez, the clubs Director General, that the arrival of the powerful Juventus midfielder is essential. In fact, he has even phoned him several times to sound him out over his willingness to leave the Italian team, with whom he has a contract until 2019 and an annual salary of 4.5m (at the maximum of the salary cap alongside Gianluigi Buffon). He is a special player, maintains Zidane.The France international has also been linked with a move to the Emirates, according to theMirror's Aaron Flanagan, although a transfer to Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain has always seemed more likely.Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson believes the French champions will be willing to spend big on the Juventus midfielder, who was born in a Paris suburb:Like Isco, the 21-year-old has established himself as one of the world's best young midfielders, and his ceiling may arguably be greater. The Bianconeri are determined to hang onto their star man for as long as possible, but lack the funds to keep him in Turin the day he decides he's ready for a new adventure.The problem for the Gunners is they doesn't really represent much of a step up for Pogba. Yes, the Premier League is a bigger league than Serie A, but Arsenal haven't won the title in years and are not on the level of Chelsea or Manchester City.Real are one of the biggest clubs in the world and PSG represent an intriguing option, both financially and in terms of personal liking, so expect those two to remain the favourites to secure his signature at some point in the future.Follow @ReverschPassRead more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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