Isco has become one of the hottest properties in Europe following a magnificent season which saw him play a key role in the Andalusian club’s exhilarating march to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and his reputation rose even higher with three goals and a series of brilliant displays during Spain’s triumphant European Under-21 Championship campaign.
Manuel Pellegrini has been an important figure in Isco’s development during their two years together in Malaga, and the prospect of once again working with his old manager was a significant attraction following the Chilean’s move to Eastlands.
However, Madrid’s determination to land their target has been bolstered by the influence of incoming manager Carlo Ancelotti and club legend Zinedine Zidane, who is poised to take on a much bigger responsibility for negotiating transfers.
On the insistence of Ancelotti and Zidane, club president Florentino Perez is understood to have increased his club’s efforts to sign the playmaker.
Another element in Madrid’s favour is the possibility of including a player-exchange in the deal, with winger Jose Callejon potentially moving to the Rosaleda.
Meanwhile, Madrid are also close to confirming Ancelotti’s appointment following the news Laurent Blanc is poised to succeed the Italian at Paris Saint-Germain.
The French champions were reluctant to give Ancelotti permission to leave until they had a replacement, but that obstacle has now been removed with the imminent arrival of Blanc and Madrid will have to pay PSG between €4-€4.5m (Dh19.3m-Dh21.7m) in compensation for the Italian.
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