Manchester City could be ahead in the race to sign Isco – as the Malaga playmaker can’t stand other potential suitors Real Madrid.
City and Madrid are currently going head-to-head for Isco’s signature after he played a key role in Spain’s victorious U21 Euros campaign.
But in a 2009 interview, when he was starring for Spain’s U19 side, Isco revealed he is an ‘antimadridista’ – a fan of a Spanish side who wants to see Real fail.
Front page news: Isco’s ‘antimadridista’ quotes were dug up by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo
Wanted: But Spain U21 star Isco revealed in 2009 he is an ‘antimadridista’
Champion: Isco starred in Spain’s victorious run to winning the U21 European Championships
‘I’d say I’m a bit antimadridista although I do not know where my future will be, but it’s a team that I never liked,’ he said in an interview dug up by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
‘I get the impression that it is an arrogant club, about how the players are. Without humility you cannot get anywhere.’
Real looked to have clinched the deal by agreeing a £25m fee with Malaga, but City will take heart from the uncovered quotes.
Another thing in City’s favour is new boss Manuel Pellegrini managed Isco at Malaga, and the hotly-tipped midfielder considers the manager his ‘footballing father’.
Agreed a fee: But Isco said in 2009 that Spanish giants Real Madrid struck him as an arrogant club
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