JUVENTUS AIMS FOR REAL MADRID ISCO

Fans of fishing will tell you that in rough waters the "biting" is best. Currently Spanish Football Club Real Madrid is experiencing its own "rough waters" after some poor exhibitions in Liga, especially after last Saturday´s defeat against Atletico Madrid. A loss that puts the Club behind current Liga leaders FC Barcelona by 9 points! 

Many observers & Club insiders have accepted that the Liga title is too far beyond reach, & that the only hope for any glory this season is the always very difficult "Champions League". 

As usual fans, media & Club directives need reasons to explain the situation, or the evaporation of all earlier hopes. The debate is wide open with many ongoing & unsolved reasons on the table for discussion along with new factors that can also explain the Real Madrid slump. Nothing like a losing run to bring out the "ghost" from the cupboard or the "shit" from under the carpet. 

Bad pre-season planning, too many injuries, lack of physical preparation, bad Coach, poor Club management, lack of will from the players, no motivation... take a pick & you may be correct. 

Within these factors two names, two players have jumped into the spot-light. According to media sources, habitually due to interested filtered motives, midfielders James Rodriguez & Isco are no longer untouchable, that is, Real Madrid is open to hear offers. Both are not "living up" to expectations this season & are under the microscope. 

Isco is said to have Italian Club Juventus already aiming their arrow & apparently have made a first offer of 30M€ to Real Madrid. An offer short of the true market price but may be lifted as summer approaches. Lets not forget that Isco has been in the list of other big Clubs in past seasons especially from the English Premier League. 

Stay tuned for developments (not forgetting James Rodriguez).

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REAL MADRID CF SHUTS SIGNING OF ISCO FOR AROUND 30M€

Impressive offensive by Real Madrid in the last 24 hours. Just when most observers believed that Malaga FC & Spanish U-21 International Isco was close to Manchester City, Real Madrid comes in & according to Spanish media shuts the deal.

Spanish radio & Sports papers today put on their covers that ISCO will be the third signing of Real Madrid for next season ( Carvajal & Casimero are the other two ). The operation was shut yesterday with Malaga FC for a figure that is around the 30M€ mark (other sources say 20M€). The player signs for the next 5 years.

What finally convinced the "Isco circle" was that Real Madrid has made it clear to the player that they have no intention of leaving him on the bench. The firm idea of Real Madrid is to give the midfielder playing time & convert the International in an important future piece within the squad.

Manchester City & especially their new Coach Manuel Pellegrini will be disappointed as Isco was a priority, but the sirens of a Club like Real Madrid still sound much sweeter than most other Clubs in the World.

Real Madrid has intention of formalizing the transfer & all the paperwork next week & presenting the player to media.

Said all this, no official statement has come out of Malaga FC , Real Madrid or the player himself. As I always say & remind until there is an official statement this is still speculation & even rumour.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFERS | CLUBS TUG - OF WAR - TO SIGN ISCO & THIAGO

News out of England keeps confirming what has been published here in recent weeks, that the race is on to secure & sign two  Spanish Football promises & pearls. The English newspaper "Daily Mirror" publish that U-21 Spanish International ISCO & the U-21 Spanish Team Captain THIAGO are closer than ever to English Football.

There is a tug-of -war between Real Madrid & Manchester City over the services of Isco. Real Madrid wishes to shut the negotiations asap which has prompted an offensive from Manchester City to attempt to secure the player within the next 48 hours. The advantage that the English Club has is that ex-Malaga Coach Pellegrini - now Coach of Man City - is considered the "Football Father" of Isco & has promised the player playing time, something that Real Madrid cannot with players already there like Ozil , Modric & Kaka.

Nothing is certain as yet as news locally is confusing & contradictory with some influential media observers saying Isco is close to Real Madrid, while others say Manchester City is in front running. 

The other "Spanish Football Pearl" is Thiago Alcantara who also wishes to play more because his objective is to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with Spain. His current Club FC Barcelona cannot guarantee playing time with Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi & Iniesta all ahead of the player for the midfield positions.  The player is in contact with Manchester United & today from England it is reported that Manchester United has an agreement with Thiago with an offered salary of 6M€ / season. All that has to be done now is that the player accept the offer & that Manchester United pay the 18M€ contract release clause.

Stay tuned as it promises to be exciting with theses two young Football players over the coming days.

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REAL MADRID SIGNINGS | ISCO, CAVANI & GARETH BALE THE CHOSEN

A popular Spanish Football late night TV show has revealed the three Real Madrid signings for next season. Journalist Juan Gato, reinforced by Alfredo Duro & the shows journalist ( Antonio Luque etc ) analysed the Clubs situation & according to their "inside information" gave the following scoops.

• The next Real Madrid Coach will be Carlo Ancelotti. His official announcement is being delayed for two prime reasons. Firstly, PSG needs to find a substitute Coach & until then, from respect , Real Madrid does not wish to make the signing of Ancelotti official. The second is for financial tax reasons, if Ancelotti signs in June his tax rate in Spain will be more than 50%, if he signs in July it drops around 25%. Its about time limits living in Spain if you pay one % or the other. Meanwhile, Ancelotti is already planning the season from "a far".

• It was believed ( still a possibility ) that Manchester City was in the front running for the signing of Spanish Football youngster & "Football Pearl" ISCO. The Spanish U-21 International & Malaga FC player seems to have changed his mind, & according to the mentioned Spanish Football observers there is agreement between Real Madrid & Malaga FC & a tacit agreement with the player. The transfer sum being said is around the 25-30M€ mark. 
  
  Obviously Manchester City will make a last big effort & today in Spanish online media "elconfidencial" journalist José Felix Diaz says all the contrary to the above, that ISCO has chosen Manchester City to follow his ex-Malaga Coach Pellegrini who guarantees Isco playing time.

• Real Madrid knows it needs a number 9 , a pure striker. The chosen player is Uruguay & Napoli player CAVANI. The deal is apparently advanced & needs to fix some minor issues. The price is around 55M€, but Real Madrid wishes to lower this to 35M€ including players in the operation. Napoli asks for Khedira & U-21 International Morata, both of which we doubt Real Madrid will accept. However whatever the final formula, Cavani is the chosen foward, over Liverpool FC forward Luis Suarez or the talked about Borussia Dortmund Lewandowski

• Lastly, it was commented that the signing of Tottenham Hotspurs Welsh International Gareth Bale was on course & virtually tied up. Tottenham Coach Villas-Boas is saying that Bale is not going anywhere but locally commentators insist that this is smoke. The price of Bale started around 90M€ but it is speculated that it will be finally closer to 70M€. There is no rush here from Real Madrid, the Spanish Club has Bale as the maximum priority to sign for next season & they wish to do things correctly with Tottenham & the player. But locally those in "the know" are convinced Bale will come & tied.

Just an ending note, although the Spanish TV programme is full of reputable Spanish Football journalists & observers their "inside information" remains speculation & even rumour. As I always say until Clubs make things official nothing is certain. Having said this & made it clear, the news is that the three big player signings for Real Madrid will be: ISCO; CAVANI & BALE

Stay tuned.

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REAL MADRID | ZIDANE INSISTS IN SIGNING ISCO

Zinedine Zidane will have  a bigger role in Real Madrid next season. The Real Madrid President Florentini Perez wishes the Frenchman in a suit as Football Director, but Zidane prefers the tracksuit & has asked to be the assistant of the expected new Coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, the ex-Real Madrid player will continue advising the President on all "Sporting- Football" matters.  

Zidane recommended to Real young French defender Varane, plus has advised on the signing of Tottenham Hotspurs player Gareth Bale. According to Spanish radio & Spanish Sports daily "AS" Zinedine Zidane insists firmly on the signing of Spanish U-21 International & Malaga FC palyer ISCO.

There have been contacts already, as posted here weeks back, & there is a contract release clause of 35M€ that can be negotiated. However, the ex-Coach of Isco now at Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini also wants the "Spanish Pearl" & has guaranteed Isco playing time & to be a vital piece of his new set-up. Real Madrid on the other hand is full of midfield stars ( Ozil, Modric, Callejon, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Casemiro...) & cannot say the same which has discouraged Isco from saying 100% yes to Madrid & seriously thinking in Manchester City.

The young Spanish U-21 International is starring in the Israel UEFE U-21 Euro Championships & has caught the eye of everyone, & Zidane has been totally convinced that Isco is "World Class" for Real Madrid. So much so, that apparently he has personally advised & fully insisted that Isco become a Club signing priority.

To change the mind of Isco away from Manchester City, Real Madrid wants new Coach Carlo Ancelotti - if & when it happens - to sit down with the player & clear all his doubts. The player wants playing time & Real Madrid thinks that coming from the words of Ancelotti will sway his final decision their way.

Stay tuned as this will become interesting. Meanwhile Isco is exploding in the U-21 Euros.
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REAL MADRID SIGNINGS - GOSSIP | ISCO - CRISTIANO RONALDO

Authentic "tug of war" happening at the moment with Spanish International & young Malaga FC midfieder Isco. The Spanish Football pearl has two very good offers on the table, Real Madrid & Manchester City.
The talks with Real Madrid are very advanced & his inner circle ( father & representative ) believe that it is the players best option. However, it is Isco who is not sure & is currently more keen to sign with Manchester City. His current Coach at Malaga Maunuel Pellegrini has indicated to Isco that he wants to take him over to Manchester City next season to form part of the Clubs project. Pellegrini has basically guaranteed Isco a mayor role & playing time.

Real Madrid on the other hand can´t say the same as Isco would have compete for a position with Xabi Alonso, Modric, Khedira & Ozil. The Malaga player does not want to sit on the bench & thus Manchester City is currently in the front running to lure the Spanish talent.

Staying at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo is a top priority as the Club wishes to secure the services of the Portuguese who has two more seasons left of contract. Ronaldo has become the back-bone of the squad & of the future plans of the Club, getting the player to extend his contract capital. Added to this, Real Madrid wishes to keep out the calls of other Clubs like Paris St Germain, Chelsea, Manchester etc.

According to Spanish media source "elconfidencial", Real Madrid is negotiating & preparing a super offer to keep the player at "home". The figure being said is a 16M€ / year salary net (24M€ gross/before taxes), making him one of the highest paid players in World Football & securing his services until 2018. Negotiations continue as there is an area concerning "image rights" that is still to be cleared but there should be news soon on this front. Everything indicates - barring surprises which is always possible - that Ronaldo will renew. 

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REAL MADRID NEGOCIATING FOR LEWANDOWSKI - ISCO ?

Spanish radio station "Cadena Ser" gave the news last night during its late night Football Show that Spanish Football Club Real Madrid CF was in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund & Malaga FC. The players in question are respectively Polish forward Robert Lewandowski & Spanish midfielder Isco.

According to the radio station German Club Borrusia Dortmund has approached Real Madrid because they wish to avoid making local rival Bayern Munich stronger & would prefer to sell elsewhere.

The Isco case comes because it is speculated that Real Madrid may want to sell Luka Modric this summer as part of another operation & Isco would make an excellent substitute.

Apart from the news that both players have half of Europe looking at signing them & thus making successful the operations are difficult & very costly, the Spanish radio station in question is "flying out rumours" lately due to stiff competition between media channels & thus maybe looking for marketing exposure.

With the season nearly over, signings & transfers news will take over the front pages & media channels in the coming months & all news must be taken with a "grain of salt". We will be reading & hearing lots of rumours. 

Stay tuned!

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SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM LIST FOR URUGUAY

Spanish National Football Team Manager-Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in his list of Spanish Football Players that will make up the squad that plays URUGUAY in a Friendly International match in Qatar next Wednesday. 

There are novelties. First the most obvious is the absence of Real Madrid goalkeeper & Spanish Team Captain Iker Casillas due to a hand injury that will have him sidelined 8 weeks. The other news is the call up of MALAGA FC midfielder ISCO which was expected & CHELSEA FC defender AZPILICUETA.
 

Regular player & forward FERNANDO TORRES has been dropped which is in line with his drop in form with his Club Chelsea. This also applies to Sevilla FC winger JESUS NAVAS who find himself in the same boat. There may be some disappointed players like forwards Castro ( Betis ) & Michu ( Swansea ) but their "opponents" have all the arguments to keep them out for the time being.

ISCO

Here is the full list of players:

Goalkeepers Reina (Liverpool) & Víctor Valdés (Barcelona)

Defenders

Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Piqué (Barcelona), Puyol (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona) &Monreal (Arsenal)

Midfielders

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc (Barcelona), Iniesta (Barcelona), Silva (Manchester City), Cazorla (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona),Pedro (Barcelona) & Isco (Málaga)

Forwards

Mata (Chelsea), Negredo (Sevilla) & Villa (Barcelona)

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MALAGA FC ISCO A BAYERN MUNICH GUARDIOLA TARGET?

Now that ex-FC BARCELONA Coach JOSEP GUARDIOLA has been announced as the next BAYERN MUNICH Coach speculation is rising about possible new signings, & the Spanish League has all the attention. Already THIAGO of FC Barcelona has had to dodge a few uneasy questions about his future, but there is another name circulating.

German television speculates that MALAGA FC player ISCO will be playing next season in the Bundesliga. While Chelsea FC is also said to be interested in the services of Isco, apart from other big Clubs, Guardiola is said to be following closely & could be high on his list of possible new signings. 

The 20 year old "2012 GOLDEN BOY" has exploded on the World Football scene with his performances in Champions League with his Club, while he tantalises weekly in LA LIGA.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID FOCUSES ON MALAGA FC ISCO ?

This news piece comes out of the city of Barcelona, concretely Sports daily "Mundo Deportivo", which gives this announcement certain independent vibrations. 

According to MD, REAL MADRID has focused its attention on MALAGA FC young midfield sensation ISCO. The U-21 Spanish International was prized in 2012 with the "Golden Boy" title, given to the Best U-21 European Footballer. Plus the player is "knocking" at the doors of the Spanish National Team which some "insiders" think will be eminent.

The Footballer has a 21M€ contract release clause with Malaga which makes the player "easy" prey for the big Clubs. Malaga will wish to increase that figure to around 35-40M€ if negotiations take-off. Real Madrid will have competition from other Clubs especially from the English Premier League.

Stay tuned!

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MALAGA FC ISCO WINS 2012 GOLDEN BOY

Spanish U-21 International & MALAGA FC player ISCO was awarded the 2012 GOLDEN BOY, title given to the "Best U-21 Player in European Football". Isco wins ahead of El Shaarawy (Ac Milan ) with 125 votes , third went to Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois with 116 votes.

Past winners:
2012 Francisco Román Alarcón 'Isco' (Málaga)
2011 Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund)
2010 Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
2009 Alexandre Pato (Milan)
2008 Anderson (Manchester United)
2007 Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid)
2006 Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal)
2005 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2004 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2003 Van der Vaart (Ajax Amsterdam)

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ISCO ON THE AGENDAS OF MANCHESTER CITY - CHELSEA FC

I believe it. English Premier League Clubs are following, & one in particular thinking about signing  in the upcoming Winter Transfer Market MALAGA FC & Spanish International youngster ISCO, it is easy to convince. The young player is the current the "Spanish Football Pearl".

Isco

MANCHESTER CITY has sent out scouts to follow Isco playing with Malaga FC, while it is commented in local Sports media that CHELSEA FC is seriously considering paying the contract release clause of the player in this upcoming Transfer "window". The release clause is 21M€ & that puts Isco close to the big Clubs in any attempt at a "snatch & grab" strategy.

Stay tuned!

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