Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pay €45m to take Isco from Real Madrid during the winter transfer window, according to Spanish newspaper Sport on Thursday.

After Isco made comments questioning his own future, whilst away with Spain for the international break, Sport say Real Madrid are ready to open the door for a transfer. If he’s not completely comfortable and not happy with his status within the squad, then Real Madrid are happy to facilitate an exit.

The condition for this is a buying club paying €45m, which is more than Real Madrid paid Malaga for the player. Sport state that Tottenham would be willing to pay such an amount to secure Isco in the January transfer window.

It doesn’t sound like a typical Daniel Levy deal. The Tottenham transfer guru is respected, and almost feared, around Europe for his skill in negotiating deals.

A fee of €45m for an out of favour player, who cost less, and who has a contract ending in June 2018, doesn’t sound like a bargain.

That said, the purchase would increase Tottenham’s marketability, and the perceived size of the club outside of England. If Mauricio Pochettino wants the player, and even that isn’t certain, then paying over the odds may be worth it, just this once.

Sport are more a Barcelona leaning newspaper, happy to wind Real Madrid up, but saying Isco may leave is no longer a surprise, given the player has insinuated himself he’s ready to consider his future.