Manuel Pellegrini will raid the Spanish market to add more foreign flavour to his Manchester City squad.
The Chilean has given the go-ahead for City to bring in Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernandinho and he has asked the club’s hierarchy to work on deals for Real Madrid defender Pepe, Malaga’s attacking midfielder Isco, Sevilla winger Jesus Navas and Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. It is a potential outlay of £86million.
With nine years’ coaching experience in Spain, Pellegrini, who just left Malaga, is drawing upon his extensive knowledge to recommend a selection of youth and experience he believes will give City chief executive Ferran Soriano the dynamic football he demands.
The reverence in which 59-year-old Pellegrini is held has become apparent in negotiations. City are not the club of preference for some and Real Madrid are eager to sign Isco and Navas.
Indeed, it is understood both would have already agreed to sign for the Spanish giants but for wanting to hear more on Pellegrini’s City vision.
Ironically, Real’s need to finance their restructuring means Portuguese defender Pepe is available for £15m and Pellegrini, who worked with him at Real, sees the 30-year-old as a key component of his City project. Tough and provocative, Pepe is also versatile and vocal in defence.
City are already advanced in negotiating a £20m fee for Fernandinho while Isco could yet prove the catalyst to Pellegrini’s plans coming together.
The 21-year-old has been courted by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea but his faith in father figure Pellegrini could be pivotal.
Navas is of the same mind. Liverpool, Chelsea and more have come knocking at Sevilla’s door only to be told he won’t leave Spain.
That is understandable for a player who was bordering on agoraphobic. Hence Madrid being favourites but Navas has expressed a commitment to Pellegrini and, if City can agree a £15m fee with his cash-strapped club, a deal could be struck.
Barcelona’s Thiago is wanted by Manchester United but the Barca influence of Soriano and City’s football director Txiki Begiristain, both formerly employed by the Catalan club, will have an influence as they hope to sign him for £16m.
