Maurizio Sarri 'passed up chance to sign Isco for Juventus'

Juventus reportedly had the opportunity to sign Isco from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, only for head coach Maurizio Sarri to pass on the deal.

Isco's future at the Bernabeu is believed to be far from secure, and the Spain international has been strongly linked with a move away from the Spanish capital in recent seasons.

According to reports in Spain, Juve had expressed an interest in signing the playmaker during the recent transfer window, although incoming boss Sarri preferred a swoop for free agent Adrien Rabiot.

Isco is back in favour at Madrid following the return of Zinedine Zidane as head coach, but the 27-year-old has only made two appearances this season due to a hamstring problem.

Rabiot, meanwhile, has made three Serie A appearances for the Old Lady during the 2019-20 campaign.

Liverpool are also said to have dropped their interest in Isco to instead pursue a move for Leicester City's English attacker James Maddison.