Manchester United plot January move for Real Madrid's Isco

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Isco in January, according to reports.

The Daily Mirror says the Portuguese coach has identified Isco as the next stage of his overhaul of the United squad after completing the signings of Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba in the summer.

Isco, 24, is out of favour at Real Madrid, making only three appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions this season.

He is contracted to the Santiago Bernabeu until 2018 and could be attainable for a fee of around £25m ($33m).

Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester City and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the playmaker.

Catalan daily Sport reported last week that Real boss Zinedine Zidane would not stand in the way of Isco if he asked to leave the club in January.

"There are many players in that position, so nothing is closed," the Frenchman was quoted as saying by Goal before the summer transfer window shut in early August.

"There are many players in this position and it is difficult to fit them all in. Moreover, they are all very good. We will make decisions."

Isco came on as a substitute in Real's 2-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend, but was left out of the 18-man squad for Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon.

United are well-stocked in the attacking midfield department, with Juan Mata, Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney all capable of playing in the role.

However, Mkhitaryan has had an injury-hit start to the season while Rooney's performances in the No 10 role have come in for sharp criticism.

The United and England captain struggled to make a telling contribution in the 3-1 defeat against Watford – the Red Devils' third straight defeat in all competitions.

United's next Premier League assignment sees them taking on champions Leicester City at Old Trafford on 24 September.