Chelsea and Manchester City are set to go head-to-head for the signing of Real Madrid playmaker Isco, according to reports in Spain.
City have already strengthened their midfield options in the past week following the arrivals of England international pair Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively.
Now it appears manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen to add Isco to what is already a hugely talented engine room at the Etihad Stadium, and reports in Spanish media publication AS [via Star Sport] claim the Chilean boss is preparing a bid for the player whom he coached whilst at La Liga outfit Malaga.
News of City’s interest in the 23-year-old is sure to disappoint rivals Chelsea after they have been heavily linked with a move for Isco in the last few weeks [via Express Sport] as manager Jose Mourinho looks to boost his squad with extra quality ahead of the defence of their league title this season.
The Los Blancos star is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in European football and was a regular in the team under former boss Carlo Ancelotti for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit last season as he started 26 La Liga games, scoring nine and providing nine assists.
His form was not enough to prevent Madrid from finishing the season empty-handed but he did show enough to suggest he would be a brilliant addition to English football should either of the title rivals take the plunge.
Reigning Serie A champions Juventus are also reportedly interested in the midfielder as they look for a replacement for Chilean star Arturo Vidal, who is closing in on a £28 million move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich [via Guardian Sport].
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