Reports: Real Madrid star to reject Arsenal and Manchester United to join City in £75 million deal

What's the rumour?

If latest reports from The Sun are to be believed, Pep Guardiola is planning to raid Real Madrid this summer in hopes of landing the talented attacking midfielder Isco. The Madrid star is said to be in favour of a move to City despite interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Spanish international has twice rejected City to stay at Real Madrid but it is now thought that he's prepared to leave the Spanish capital in hopes of more playing-time under Guardiola.

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Isco isn't best pleased with the Madrid management at the moment.

Isco has long been linked with a move away from Madrid after failing to hold down a starting place at the club under three managers, including the Frenchman who was instrumental in bringing him to the Los Blancos.

The Spaniard has performed in patches and has gone missing on a number of occasions in important matches, leading Zidane to use him less often. Recently, in a league match against Espanyol, Isco took 28 seconds to get off the pitch after getting substituted, making his discontent obvious.

Top Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be keen on bringing the mercurial talent to England. But despite turning down a move to the Etihad on a couple of occasions already, Isco is now reportedly set to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The heart of the matter

The incredibly talented footballer is filled with potential and glimpses of it have been there for everyone to see. He is one of the most promising midfielders in the Spanish game since the last batch of ridiculously talented midfielders came along - Iniesta, Xavi and Silva to name a few.

The Spaniard is very comfortable on the ball and also easy on the eye. He is useful in possession and can pick a pass out. Isco has the kind of vision which is extremely important if you ply your trade further upfield, and has already shown his class by not just playing in teammates but also scoring spectacularly on a number of occasions.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have missed out on their most-anticipated signing of the winter transfer window and lost Sanchez to their Manchester neighbours. This means that the City war-chest if full at the moment which would make it likely that they will match the £75 million valuation for the player.

That should be enough to prize away Isco from the Bernabeu, although, there is a €700 million release clause in his contract.

Rumour Probability/Rating - 7/10

It is hard to imagine seeing Isco at Real next season as both sides have failed to work out a mutually beneficial relationship. Having said that, it cannot be claimed for certain that City have their man already, considering the interest the player is likely to attract from other top clubs in Europe.

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Author's take

Isco would walk straight into the starting line-up of almost all of the teams linked with him. With Pep Guardiola at the helm and the Spaniards public claims of wanting to work with the City manager, may give United's noisy neighbours the edge.

But this one will go right down to the bitter end considering that he is a rare commodity in the current transfer market.