REAL MADRID WIN THE RACE FOR MANCHESTER CITY TARGET ISCO

ABOVE: Golden boy Isco has chosen Real Madrid to much disappointment from the Manchester City faithfuls

It is also understood that Madrid offered both Isco and Malaga a better deal than City

23rd June 2013

By Paul Brown

MANCHESTER CITY were last night hastily redrawing their transfer plans after Real Madrid won the race to sign Isco.

City thought they had landed the Spain Under-21s star after agreeing terms with his representatives.

But Madrid have nipped in at the last minute to agree a deal with Malaga for the midfielder – which could eventually be worth up to £30million.

City, who are hot on the trail of Liverpool’s wantaway striker Luis Suarez, are hatching contingency plans – with the club’s top brass committed to funding moves for FIVE players this summer.

The news on Isco is a big blow, though, as new City boss Manuel Pellegrini is a huge fan of the player who had looked set to follow him from Malaga.

But sources close to Real claim a formal announcement will be made about the transfer on Tuesday after Isco agreed a five-year deal, with his official unveiling set for July 2.

A personal phone call to the player from Madrid’s sporting director Zinedine Zidane – and new boss Carlo Ancelotti – while the Malaga star was on holiday in Ibiza, seems to have reassured Isco, 21, that he will get the same playing time he was promised in Manchester.

It is also understood that Madrid offered both Isco and Malaga a better deal than City, who must now decide which of their remaining transfer targets to focus upon.

The Manchester club have told Napoli they will not pay Edinson Cavani’s £54m release clause and the Italians are cooling on striker Edin Dzeko as a makeweight in a deal.

Chelsea are hoping to take advantage of the situation.

Pellegrini also likes Borussia Dortmund’s £32m-rated Marco Reus and Madrid’s Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, who is available for around £25m.

But City’s owners have already spent around £45m on Brazil international Fernandinho and Spanish winger Jesus Navas and will not be held to ransom over other targets.