Real Madrid midfielder Isco has acknowledged he might have to leave at the end of the season if he does not get more playing time.

The 24-year-old has made over 150 appearances in all competitions for Madrid since joining the club from Malaga in 2013, but has never really been an undisputed starter in Spain's capital.

Isco has also been in and out of the team this season and although he has no intention of leaving halfway through the campaign, he could say farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu come June 2017.

"Leaving in January is not an option that I am contemplating. I am not going to give up so easily," the Spain international told Cope.

"But if at the end of the season I see that I have not played much, I will look at my options. I am 24 and if I do not find a place in the starting XI here, I would like to move on.

"I know that I can do well and if not here, then I would like to be able to do it elsewhere.

"I am happy in Madrid, but what footballers want is to progress and if I cannot do that here, I would not have a problem in looking for an exit."

Isco has a contract with Madrid until June 2018.