Post by jockcas on Jun 21, 2013 16:32:52 GMT
Isco is poised to sign for City if the Blues can agree a fee with his club Malaga.
The Blues have moved into pole position to buy the brilliant 21-year-old Spain midfielder, with Spanish sources indicating he has snubbed Real Madrid.
That would leave the Blues as clear favourites to land a player named man of the tournament at the recent European Under-21 Championships.
There is still some serious haggling to be done over price with Malaga wanting the full £30m release clause. City are prepared to pay around £21m – and it remains to be seen if Madrid have given up the fight or not.
Isco, who yesterday headed for Ibiza on holiday, has hinted he will reveal his intentions at the weekend, but it is thought he fears spending next season on the bench if he goes to Madrid.
He had all of Europe’s top clubs on alert with his performances for the young Spaniards, but City have been in hot pursuit for months, with Madrid as their main competition.
The Spanish giants played their final trump card this week, sending football director and legendary French player Zinedine Zidane to try to persuade him to go the Bernabeu.
But the Blues have had their own aces, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who groomed Isco for stardom at Malaga, a big attraction for the player, while football director Txiki Begiristain has worked hard to convince the youngster he would have a bright future with City.
The Blues have moved into pole position to buy the brilliant 21-year-old Spain midfielder, with Spanish sources indicating he has snubbed Real Madrid.
That would leave the Blues as clear favourites to land a player named man of the tournament at the recent European Under-21 Championships.
There is still some serious haggling to be done over price with Malaga wanting the full £30m release clause. City are prepared to pay around £21m – and it remains to be seen if Madrid have given up the fight or not.
Isco, who yesterday headed for Ibiza on holiday, has hinted he will reveal his intentions at the weekend, but it is thought he fears spending next season on the bench if he goes to Madrid.
He had all of Europe’s top clubs on alert with his performances for the young Spaniards, but City have been in hot pursuit for months, with Madrid as their main competition.
The Spanish giants played their final trump card this week, sending football director and legendary French player Zinedine Zidane to try to persuade him to go the Bernabeu.
But the Blues have had their own aces, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who groomed Isco for stardom at Malaga, a big attraction for the player, while football director Txiki Begiristain has worked hard to convince the youngster he would have a bright future with City.