Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is said to be targeting a move for Real Madrid star Isco, as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho. According to Don Balon, Klopp is supposedly prepared for Coutinho’s departure in the summer and hence wants Isco to be signed as a replacement for the magical Brazilian.

Coutinho suffered an unfortunate injury and left the field after just 13 minutes into Liverpool’s league game against Watford, which they eventually won 1-0, thanks to an Emre Can screamer.

It is quite natural for clubs’ star players to be linked with transfer moves and Coutinho is no exception. Earlier, Daily Star reported that Real Madrid were interested in signing Coutinho from Liverpool for a whopping £70 million. Now it looks like Liverpool want Isco as a potential replacement.

Isco has found limited game time at Santiago Bernabeu this season despite his impressive performances whenever he has been given a chance. Isco has played 36 games so far – a total of 1930 minutes of playing time and has scored 10 goals and 7 assists this season.

On the other hand, Coutinho has played for 2260 minutes this season, spread across 33 games, and has scored 11 goals and 8 assists. Though he has faded away since returning from his latest injury, his contribution to Liverpool’s play is immense and it is not possible to judge a player like him based on just stats alone. The same would apply to Isco as well, as the playmaker is valuable to any team that he plays for.

A swap deal has not been reported, despite the two clubs being interested in each other’s player. This might be because Isco is not the only player capable of replacing Coutinho in the Liverpool set-up. It could be possible that Klopp is looking at other options as well before he sets his mind on Isco.

So far, Isco has not signed a new contract with Real Madrid, and hence would be available for cheap in the summer. However, if it does happen that Isco signs a contract with Madrid, then signing him would become an expensive proposition for Liverpool.

We’ll have to wait and see if Klopp would let Coutinho leave Liverpool.

Do you think Isco would be a good replacement in the case of Coutinho’s departure?