SPAIN: Isco to join Real Madrid

Spanish newspaper MARCA are reporting that new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will make Málaga’s playmaker Isco his first signing. Real Madrid will pay €24 million, plus up to €3 million with future incentives.

The newspaper state that Real and Málaga had come to the agreement late on Saturday morning and the player has agreed personal terms and should sign a four-year contract on Monday, after he passes the medical.

Málaga’s executive vice-president, Moayad Shatat had a meeting with Real Madrid’s executive general director, José Ángel Sánchez, in order to agree to the transfer. The Andalusian club reduced the player’s €35million buyout clause to reach an agreement on the transfer, as both parties weighed up different financial incentive options to be included in the deal.

There was also the possibility of other players coming into the deal with the possibilities of Jose Callejón, Jesé and even Alvaro Morata’s names were mentioned heading to Malaga. However, the Madrid side wishes to keep these players and if any deal was reached it would be a loan deal only.

Once Monday comes and this deal is signed and sealed it shows that the money of Premier League club Manchester City did not persuade Isco to leave Spain. Manuel Pellegrini’s new club were another team interested in the midfielder and had been waiting for an answer from both the club and the player. The fact that Pellegrini managed Isco at Málaga couldn’t swing the deal in City’s favour, Isco was more interested in playing in La Liga with Real Madrid.

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