According to latest reports emerging from the transfer mill, Premier League leaders Chelsea are likely to see a stiff competition from Manchester City in their pursuit for Real Madrid midfielder Isco. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a regular in Real Madrid’s first team despite impressive displays and is likely to depart at the end of the season.
With Real Madrid’s transfer ban finally lifted, the European heavyweights are targeting a list of elite players who could take on the mantle from the ageing few of the club for the next five years and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is one of them. And if playing style is considered, the Spanish playmaker is quite familiar to the Belgian. On the other hand, Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has been a fan of the player and looks at him as a future prospect to replace David Silva.
While the battle should be an interesting one, Chelsea will have the edge if they go onto win the Premier League title. Conte is on course to rebuilding the Blues’ squad and many departures and arrivals are expected this summer after a season of absence from the Champions League. There were even reports last month which suggested that the London club had contacted Isco’s agent to lure him to Stamford Bridge but a deal couldn’t materialise.
Pep Guardiola and his reputation in Spain might also play a huge role in leading Chelsea to lose out on him and Conte will have to do more to convince him. According to The Sun, the Spain international is almost certain to leave the Bernabeu in the summer for a fee somewhere in the region £30m, and both the clubs have the money to see it until the end.
Isco has just one year left on his current deal with Real. And given that he is already behind the likes of Luka Modric, Tony Kroos and Mateo Kovacic, with the Real boss, Zidane, looking to add further options in the midfield, Los Blancos are bound to cash in on the player who joined them back in 2013.
Isco has netted six goals in 25 appearances for Real in all competitions this season. His ability to dribble past opponents in the attacking third and find man up front with the most brilliant of passes is commendable. He has drawn admiration from across the world for his ability to hold the ball up front, an attribute that would be immensely helpful at Chelsea, whose primary game plan is to feed the ball to Diego Costa.
