Real Madrid management have been taken aback by Isco's push to leave in January.

Marca says Isco's desire to leave Real Madrid has come as a surprise, but nobody has been more taken aback by his decision that the club themselves.

"He didn't answer the phone all summer, and now..." is what those at the club are saying.

The reality of the situation is that Real Madrid have been caught off guard by the news. They had some offers for players over the summer, and a number of players left the club, but others - Isco included - simply pointed to their contract when they were asked about their future, reluctant to walk away from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The January transfer window isn't something that Real Madrid have a lot of faith in. Florentino Perez firmly believes that the summer is when players should be signed and, as a result, Isco's exit likely won't see him replaced immediately if he is to depart in January.