ISCO has snubbed a switch to Chelsea because the Real Madrid star is holding out on a move to Manchester City, according to reports.
El Desmarque claims Pep Guardiola believes the Spaniard can succeed compatriot David Silva next season to ease the burden on Phil Foden.
Chelsea and Manchester City are both interested in Real Madrid star IscoCredit: Getty – Contributor
Both City and Chelsea had been given the chance to sign Isco, 27, to pave the way for Los Blancos to sign Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.
But the former Malaga ace has reportedly made it clear to Bernabeu president Florentino Perez that he has no interest in joining Frank Lampard’s side.
Poor form and injuries have limited Isco to just 13 appearances for Madrid this season but Zinedine Zidane is set to block any January exit.
Speaking last month, the French manager said: “I know Isco very well and I know that when it’s his turn [to play], he performs very well.
“He shows the personality that he has.”
Reports of any City move for Isco is likely to come as a huge blow to Foden, who would have hoped to have been given the chance to break into the first team following Silva’s exit at the end of the season,
SunSport exclusively revealed that the 19-year-old is the only player that Guardiola would never sell – not even for 500 million euros.
Silva meanwhile is considering teaming up with David Beckham’s MLS franchise Inter Miami on a free transfer next summer.
Co-owner Beckham is determined to bring in a big-name signing to market the club and help land a flurry of reputable signings.
Silva has played 414 times for City, winning 10 major trophies, and has started 13 of City’s 18 league games this season.
Real Madrid may be forced into selling top players in order to comply with FFP rules, after splashing out more than £300m on Hazard & Co
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
