Arsenal transfer target Isco ‘refusing to leave bench to warm-up’ as he heads towards Real Madrid exit

ARSENAL target Isco is reportedly refusing to warm up as he heads towards the Real Madrid exit.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has left the 29-year-old on the bench for the last three Madrid fixtures.

GettyIsco is reported to be staging a protest on the Real Madrid bench[/caption]

And reports in Spain claim the playmaker has been sulking since being introduced as a late sub in the 4-1 victory over Granada last month.

The Spain international is said to have been left in a huff when he was given just 11 minutes against the La Liga minnows.

Since then he is understood to have been staging a sit-in protest of sorts – refusing to leave the bench to warm-up with the other replacements.

Isco enjoyed a decent start to the season and even chipped in with a goal as he made six out of a possible seven league appearances.

But back trouble then ruled him out of Madrid’s clash with Espanyol on the first weekend in October.

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Since then he has struggled to regain fitness and his place in the team.

Ancelotti is reportedly insisting his relationship with the player remains strong, but the ex-Malaga star appears to be heading for the door.

That will come as a boost to Gunners bosses, who are understood to be in discussion with Madrid about bringing the player to the Emirates.

The 2012 Golden Boy-winner is out of contract in the Spanish capital at the end of the season – but Arsenal are thought to be willing to pay to sign him in January.