By David Kent
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Manchester City are close to making Malaga playmaker Isco their third signing of the summer.
Sportsmail sources understand City are confident terms will be agreed with the Spain Under 21 midfielder, who is set to follow Manuel Pellegrini to the Etihad in the coming weeks.
The Chilean coach left Malaga at the end of last season and the 2012 Barclays Premier League champions are hoping to unveil Pellegrini over the weekend.
Isco fever: The Spain Under 21 star (left) is close to joining Manchester City, according to Sportsmail sources
Isco, 21, lit up La Liga and the Champions League last season with Malaga but has hinted at his willingness to leave the Spanish club, who have been banned from both the Champions League and Europa League.
The Spain star, who has a 30million buyout clause, slated UEFA's decision to ban Malaga for failure to adhere to financial fair play regulations, describing it as 'shabby' and 'embarrassing'.
He said on Twitter: 'It is embarrassing and shabby. It is completely unfair that they have treated Malaga different than many other teams with many more irregularities and debts.
'They have taken away what we have earned on the field. Neither the players nor fans deserve this. I have no more to say.'
Star man: Isco has shone for Spain at the European Under 21 Championship
Real Madrid were also keen to draft the talented youngster in at the Bernabeu, but have fallen behind City in the race.
If a deal is completed, he will join countryman Jesus Navas and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho in Manchester, who joined from Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively.
The 14.9m spent on Navas and 30m spent on Fernandinho has already taken City's summer spending to 45m. Isco's proposed arrival is certain to increase that tally, and the club are still looking to sign a striker to partner Sergio Aguero in attack.
Rising star: Isco came to prominence under Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga
The influence of former Barcelona directors, Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, at City has drastically changed the direction of the club's recruitment drive.
Isco would join Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Navas in City's lineup, all of whom plied their trade in Spain's top flight before moving to the Premier League.
Isco has developed into an attacking force under Pellegrini's tutelage, scoring 12 times from midfield for Malaga last season.
He is currently on duty with Spain's Under 21s at the European Championship in Israel. The diminutive forward netted a sublimely taken effort as the young Spaniards cruised past Holland.
Reunion: Manuel Pellegrini left Malaga last season and is likely to join City over the coming days
Join the revolution: Isco could link up with compatriot Jesus Navas (left) and Fernandinho (right)
Target man: City are still looking for a striker, with Napoli's Edinson Cavani a potential target
eyup saj, when utd were formed, newton heath was not in manchester. utd are not in manchester now. everything kippax says is true. have a look at your hallowed history. ps, why are you here?
- mm , pamuklu, United Kingdom, 14/6/2013 18:27
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