Manchester City are just a game away from lifting the Premier League title in record time and Pep Guardiola does not want to lose this rhythm. He is already looking to improve the squad for the next season and is linked with some of the finest stars in Europe. And the latest name that is doing the rounds is Real Madrid star Isco.
City Favourites To Land Isco:
According to reports, Spanish midfielder Isco Alarcon is currently unhappy with his first-team chances at Real Madrid and is ready to quit this summer. Los Blancos are planning a massive squad overhaul at the end of the season and the Spanish international is worried about his place in the side and is ready to look elsewhere for regular game time.
He has a €700m release clause but reports suggest that Real are ready to let him leave and it is understood that Manchester City are ready to make a £75m bid for him this summer. Is Isco the right man for Manchester City?
Isco Up There With The Best:
A product of the academy at Valencia, the 25-year old made a name for himself with a couple of productive season with Malaga before joining Real Madrid back in 2013. He did make 30+ appearances in the domestic league in each of the previous seasons at Bernabeu but has managed just 18 league starts this season, picking up five goals and five assists to his name.
Widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the game at the moment, Isco is a gifted footballer with envious technique and a smarter head on his shoulder. He is calm and composed and is usually comfortable with the ball at his feet and can drift past opponents with his touch and technique.
He has 26 appearances for the Spanish national side and is an integral part of the side that will travel to Russia but at Real Madrid, he is yet to establish himself in the first team, and still remains an outsider.
Is City His Best Chance?
At just 25, Isco will want to be the player around which his team is built, which will not be easy at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola has used David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, both of who deserve to stay the first choice for at least another couple of seasons. In a 4-3-3 system, Isco has no real place in the first team at the moment and might have to fight for starts every week.
Pep may yet shift to a 4-2-3-1 to use Isco in a no.10 role but that will deter their progress this season, leaving Isco little chances of walking into the first team at City. At £75m, he is well within reach of other top clubs in England, which could be the best way forward for Isco.
But for Manchester City, they will not find too many players better accustomed to the system under the Spaniard and should do all it takes to land him this summer.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored