EXCLUSIVE: PELLEGRINI'S ISCO PLEA
ABOVE: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has made a personal plea to Isco
Real Madrid excite me. They are one of the best sides in the world
MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini made a personal plea to Isco in a last-ditch bid to stop his £30m move to Real Madrid.
Pellegrini made the midfielder one of his main transfer targets and was confident of taking him with him from Malaga to the Etihad.
But the Chilean was left fuming when it emerged Real had jumped ahead of City in the race to sign the Spanish international.
So Pellegrini rang Isco and begged him to snub Real.
He told the attacking midfielder he would be an integral part of the team, someone he wanted to build his side around.
A source said: “He called Isco himself in a bid to talk him round and made it clear how important he would be to the team. It remains to be seen if it made a difference though.”
Pellegrini now faces an anxious wait to discover if his efforts have been worthwhile.
But reports in Spain suggest Isco will join Real this week on a five-year deal worth £160,000 a week.
Isco admitted: “Real Madrid excite me. They are one of the best sides in the world.”
The Blues have spent two months courting Isco and thought a deal was in the bag.
But his stunning performances for Spain in the recent European Under-21 Championship persuaded Real to step up their own attempts to sign him.
Real bosses travelled to the tournament in Israel to hold talks with Isco’s dad, Paco Alcaron, and solicitor Rafael Comino.
Real’s charm offensive now looks to have worked, despite the efforts of Pellegrini.
Missing out on Isco will pile the pressure on City power-brokers Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano.
The due have been brought to the club to help them secure big signings and create a team capable of winning the Champions League.
Isco’s expected snub could now see Pellegrini re-enter the race for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.
ABOVE: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has made a personal plea to Isco
Real Madrid excite me. They are one of the best sides in the world
MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini made a personal plea to Isco in a last-ditch bid to stop his £30m move to Real Madrid.
Pellegrini made the midfielder one of his main transfer targets and was confident of taking him with him from Malaga to the Etihad.
But the Chilean was left fuming when it emerged Real had jumped ahead of City in the race to sign the Spanish international.
So Pellegrini rang Isco and begged him to snub Real.
He told the attacking midfielder he would be an integral part of the team, someone he wanted to build his side around.
A source said: “He called Isco himself in a bid to talk him round and made it clear how important he would be to the team. It remains to be seen if it made a difference though.”
Pellegrini now faces an anxious wait to discover if his efforts have been worthwhile.
But reports in Spain suggest Isco will join Real this week on a five-year deal worth £160,000 a week.
Isco admitted: “Real Madrid excite me. They are one of the best sides in the world.”
The Blues have spent two months courting Isco and thought a deal was in the bag.
But his stunning performances for Spain in the recent European Under-21 Championship persuaded Real to step up their own attempts to sign him.
Real bosses travelled to the tournament in Israel to hold talks with Isco’s dad, Paco Alcaron, and solicitor Rafael Comino.
Real’s charm offensive now looks to have worked, despite the efforts of Pellegrini.
Missing out on Isco will pile the pressure on City power-brokers Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano.
The due have been brought to the club to help them secure big signings and create a team capable of winning the Champions League.
Isco’s expected snub could now see Pellegrini re-enter the race for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.
