Manchester City have reignited their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Isco, and are willing to pay €100 million to secure his services in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Don Balon, Manchester City have set their sights on Isco as Pep Guardiola looks to improve his options in midfield in the summer transfer window. The Premier League leaders are willing to shell out €100 million to land the Real Madrid midfielder.
Isco has had a topsy turvy career since joining Real Madrid from Malaga in the summer of 2013. The player has enjoyed spells when he is a key figure within Los Blancos’ first-team setup, but has also fallen out of favour with Zinedine Zidane on several occasions, as is the case currently, with the 25-year-old struggling to start games week-in week-out.
In fact, Isco has managed to start just six of the 14 games that Real Madrid have played in 2018, despite the club missing several key players in midfield. While Zidane has refuted claims of the player being unsettled, the lack of regular game time might just prompt the Spaniard to call time on his spell at the Bernabeu, especially with Manchester City interested.
Manchester City have been linked with Isco previously as well, having plotted a move for him last summer too. With Pep Guardiola eager to continue making improvements to his squad, the Spain international has emerged as a target who could boost his options in midfield.
The Citizens have arguably been the most creative side in the Premier League, with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva pulling the strings in midfield. But, with the latter in the twilight of his career, and Ilkay Gundogan the only other creative option in midfield, Manchester City’s interest in Isco does make sense.
The player could be tempted by the prospect of regular game time at Etihad, especially if the lack of minutes ends up costing his place in the Spain National Side for the World Cup. And Manchester City are ready to test the waters by lodging a €100 million bid for the Real Madrid midfielder.
The report suggests that Los Blancos might rebuff the offer, although Manchester City are unlikely to hesitate in raising it further. An appropriate bid though, might just end up with Isco calling time on his stint with Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen if he makes his way to Manchester City in the summer.
