Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola eyeing stunning £75m raid for Real Madrid star Isco this summer
The 25-year-old Spaniard has twice rejected moves to the Etihad in the past, preferring to stay at the Bernabeu instead
MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola is eyeing a stunning £75m raid for Real Madrid star Isco this summer.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has twice rejected moves to the Etihad in the past, preferring to stay at the Bernabeu instead.
But it is understood he is now ready to quit Los Blancos, and play under Guardiola at the Premier League champions-elect.
Madrid are planning a major revamp this summer after a terrible La Liga campaign, which has seen them fall 15 points behind Barcelona.
And Isco believes his playing opportunities under Zinedine Zidane could be restricted, putting City on red alert.
Guardiola missed out on Alexis Sanchez and Riyad Mahrez in January, and is looking to add an attacking star to his squad.
An Etihad source said: “The club have been after Isco for a while but he has always turned down moves at the final hurdle.
“He wants to play under Pep by all accounts. Everyone knows Real want to add new attacking talent and he could be one that goes.
“Pep already has a wealth of creative midfield talents but is still on the look out for a player who can operate out wide.
“The club are looking to tweak the squad with four roles on the radar including two midfielders, another striker and a back-up full-back.”
Isco earns around £140,000-a-week at Madrid, and would be in-line for a pay-rise if he was to join City this summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United have also shown an interest in the ex-Malaga ace, but wants to be at a club he feels will compete for the Champions League.