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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini off to bad start as Isco opts for Real Madrid
MANUEL PELLEGRINI suffered a blow on his first official day as Manchester City manager after Spain wonderboy Isco decided to sign for Real Madrid.
Pellegrini was hoping playmaker Isco – real name Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez – would follow him from Malaga to the Etihad Stadium after City had agreed a £24m transfer fee.
But Isco, 21, wants to stay in Spain and despite concerns about his first team opportunities his advisors have informed City that he has decided to move to the Bernabeu.
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal had lifted the lid on the youngster's switch to the Spanish capital by saying: "I believe he has already signed for Real Madrid and I'm sure he'll do very well because he is a great player."
Isco starred for Spain's Under-21 side earlier this summer in Israel as they won the European Championships, with the Andalusia-born playmaker scoring a penalty in the final.