Isco

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

I keep reading other stuff that say, yes, RM and Malaga have agreed but RM and Isco havent.
Graham Hunter, and a sparse few others, say Isco still prefers City. GH claims City will fly him out this weekend. Others suggest City wont meet Malaga's asking price (stupid if true!)

I've also read that we haven't actually made a bid. Truth is, nobody's got a scooby.

[patrickblue]

So assuming from all this that we won't be getting cavani or isco now? What are our realistic targets now? Have these 2 people (texi and soriano) got something up there sleeve? Or there is no other players we are after?

I'd wouldn't be shocked if the whole Cavani thing is just posturing, if Isco falls through, we'll go back to the table again... if we haven't already that is.

TBH I don't think anyone has any intention of paying the stupid money that Napoli are asking for Cavani. Come August when they can't shift him the price will be going down.

[Blue Blood]

So assuming from all this that we won't be getting cavani or isco now? What are our realistic targets now? Have these 2 people (texi and soriano) got something up there sleeve? Or there is no other players we are after?

I'd wouldn't be shocked if the whole Cavani thing is just posturing, if Isco falls through, we'll go back to the table again... if we haven't already that is.

TBH I don't think anyone has any intention of paying the stupid money that Napoli are asking for Cavani. Come August when they can't shift him the price will be going down.

Trouble is with Cavani, Napoli aren't bothered in the slightest if they keep him, in fact that is their favoured scenario.

They will hold for daft money, especially with the loon that is De Laurentis running the show!

[Risby]

We will still need a new central defender to replace Lescott if he goes and a new left back if Kolorov goes.

That's a possibility of two more new faces.

If we miss out on Isco, I'd go in for Mata and offer Chelsea Dzeko as part of the deal. We could always promote Guidetti to first team and give the lad a chance. If that fails, back in for Cavani or Gomez.

[Mase]

. If that fails, back in for Cavani or Gomez.

Gomez? I'd rather have Gerry Creaney back!!

[Slim]

. If that fails, back in for Cavani or Gomez.

Gomez? I'd rather have Gerry Creaney back!!

Is he available?

[Sideshow Bob]

So assuming from all this that we won't be getting cavani or isco now? What are our realistic targets now? Have these 2 people (texi and soriano) got something up there sleeve? Or there is no other players we are after?

I'd wouldn't be shocked if the whole Cavani thing is just posturing, if Isco falls through, we'll go back to the table again... if we haven't already that is.

TBH I don't think anyone has any intention of paying the stupid money that Napoli are asking for Cavani. Come August when they can't shift him the price will be going down.

Trouble is with Cavani, Napoli aren't bothered in the slightest if they keep him, in fact that is their favoured scenario.

They will hold for daft money, especially with the loon that is De Laurentis running the show!

napoli clearly do want to sell. statements from ADL to the contrary are just posturing.

[Nigels Tackle]

looking like this deal is in danger of going up in flames

#iscoinferno

[Risby]

Gomez? I'd rather have Gerry Creaney back!!

If we lose Tevez and Dzeko, he's a player that will get goals and not be bullied by some of our physical opponents.

[Hazy2]

Dealing with Napoli could be a crazy ride, Buying Isco would be a real coup,if we dont get him I will be pissed off.

[lucy kagama]

From what I have seen I think Isco has more natural ability than Nasri and is from the same mould as Silva, he only left Valencia for his hometown club Malaga because of his buy out clause, plus he is younger with more potential, I wouldnt mind Nasri becoming a squad player, maybe it would make him pull his socks up.

I've heard he's done deal with real madrid

[feedthegreek]

just listened to a guy called pete jensen on talksport, who just said madrid did a deal with malaga on friday, but city have also done a deal with malaga now its up to the player.

[Nigels Tackle]

just listened to a guy called pete jensen on talksport, who just said madrid did a deal with malaga on friday, but city have also done a deal with malaga now its up to the player.

is he a spanish football expert?

[feedthegreek]

just listened to a guy called pete jensen on talksport, who just said madrid did a deal with malaga on friday, but city have also done a deal with malaga now its up to the player.

is he a spanish football expert?

yes.

[Bleed_Blue]

No need to panic, if we cant get Isco we can go for christian eriksen or a young striker instead

If Madrid entices Isco there is nothing Tiki, Soriano or Khaldoon can do about it.

There is still a very good chance he might come here

[Benjay]

Gomez? I'd rather have Gerry Creaney back!!

Or Lee Badbuy....

[Ted Hughes]

If Isco goes to Real then there is no stain on our negotiator's. I'd go as far to say that if Real are in for him then we are serious underdogs. Real, at the moment, is a far greater pull for most players and the thought of Isco having a chance to go there would probably make his footballing dream come true. I'd even suggest that he'd take a far lesser wage just for the chance.

This is not to say that we cannot offer him something more appealing. Coming to us offers further development with less pressure to perform than at Real with also the better proposition of being a first choice player. We also have the 'Project' with long term stability. And then there's our hispanic contingent as well as the Pellegrini affect which could be crucial in any talks, lessening the cultural blow.

For me it's a 60/40 in favour of Real but in the end it will all be down to who offers the greater funds to Malaga and which club is going to give Isco the love and attention to thrive.

He has a BOC it is down to the amigos and the manager to seal the deal, They are on millions to do so.

He is also Spanish with the biggest club in the world possibly wanting to sign him. Forget the weather, forget the restaurants, forget the 'Project' and drop the 'Blue Tints' for a second, sometimes negotiations are not enough.

No blue tints here, I want us to deliver, The changes since the Cup Final for me anyway are you wanted change you got it, now deliver.

So, let me get this straight; if Isco tells Pellegrini he is signing for Real Madrid, it's the fault of people at City ?

That is seriously what you think ?

[patrickblue]

just listened to a guy called pete jensen on talksport, who just said madrid did a deal with malaga on friday, but city have also done a deal with malaga now its up to the player.

You sure that wasn't Kid Jensen

[Saul Goodman]

Today's front page of Madrid based sport newspaper AS is quite clear, they say the club has signed Isco from Malaga. They go as far as claiming that Isco is now one of the whites and claim a deal was reached in principal between Real Madrid and Malaga on Friday. The amount stated as being the accepted offer is €30m, a big jump from what Florentino Perez's club were prepared to pay initially.

They go on to say that the deal will become official next week and the player be unveiled at the beginning of July, when Real Madrid plan to do all their 'unveiling', including their manager-in-waiting Carlo Ancelotti. AS say that Isco is currently on holiday in Ibiza and was informed on Friday of the 'good news' by his father. There is no definitive explanation on what would have made Isco swing for Madrid and as far as we can see it looks like the two clubs have agreed a fee and now expect Isco to follow suit, obediently. A move to Real Madrid is a dream for most Spaniards but his worries about first team football won't have disappeared and he's not likely to damage his World Cup dream without having further talks with Real Madrid himself, or at least his closest representatives.

Marca, the other Madrid based sport newspaper, contradict AS and say that the Real Madrid offer won't be higher than €20m but could include players on either a loan or permanent basis, plus bonuses for achievements. Marca sound confident, but nowhere near as much as AS do, and their stories are conflicting.

Either way, Real Madrid are making a strong last push to get Isco from the clutches of Manchester City.

The wishes of Isco were laid out by Spanish broadsheet El Confidencial clearly a couple of days ago. They said he had chosen Manchester City and rejected Real Madrid, largely because he was confident he'd get more playing time at the Premier League club. Manchester City's offer was stated as being €25m. We said at the time:

'El Confidencial claim that the presence of Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City has given Isco a sense of stability and it's swung things their way.

They say the player's father and representatives held a meeting with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu three weeks ago and at that point he was closer to joining the Spanish side, but Manchester City must have got to him since then and his relationship with Manuel Pellegrini is a big part of Isco's future career decision too.

He would be likely to get more game time under a manager who knows and trusts him, rather than in the Madrid political cauldron. Next year he'll hope to be in Spain's World Cup squad for Brazil and much of his decision is based on how he can best progress his career rather than simply looking for the best financial package. The confirmation that Pellegrini will be in charge of Manchester City would appear to have given Isco added confidence to make the leap to England, if El Confidencial are correct.'

Since then, Real Madrid have upped their game, or tried to enlist the help of the media, especially AS. Manchester City will surely be making moves to clarify the situation and, if they have to, putting forward a new offer to Malaga. Real Madrid are desperate for a big signing and Isco is far more realistic than Gareth Bale, it could be that Perez has decided to go all out for the most obvious option. If both clubs go as high as his buy-out clause, €35m, then it's totally down to the player.

[DoomMerchant]

So, let me get this straight; if Isco tells Pellegrini he is signing for Real Madrid, it's the fault of people at City ?

That is seriously what you think ?

I think it's a win win for City brass. Get him it's a coup, miss him and there are a million reasons why no one but madrid could have pulled it off. The fact that we are having this conversation is astonishing. I mean fucking zidane has to pull out the stops to get him and his dad on board? Says a lot about our progress. Esp. Since we arent just paying over the odds by 30% to make it happen. Im fine with whatever thw result on isco.