Chelsea to bid £70m for Isco with Spain star ready to reject Arsenal for quick transfer
Manchester City are also in race for Real Madrid midfielder but Blues hope terms of around £250,000 a week will be quickly agreed
CHELSEA have leapt ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for Isco.
The Blues will make a £70million bid today and hope personal terms of around £250,000 a week will quickly be agreed.
A hefty signing-on fee is also part of a package for a 4½-year deal. Real Madrid playmaker Isco is ready to make the January switch to Stamford Bridge with Arsenal not making a firm offer and City wanting to wait until the summer.
But Isco, 26, is surplus to requirements at Real with boss Santiago Solari and chairman Florentine Perez in agreement to sell.
The Spain star has made just 11 league appearances and was booed by the home crowd in last week's Champions League game against CSKA Moscow.
There is a feeling he is carrying too much weight and is not fit enough.
But Chelsea boss Sarri, who has handed negotiations to Sporting Director Marina Granovskaia, wants to pair Isco with Eden Hazard.
Hazard has been used in the ‘false 9’ position in recent weeks and Sarri sees Isco as the perfect foil for the Belgian.
Negotiations will move quickly and Isco could join Chelsea in the first week of January as they look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.
City boss Pep Guardiola is a long-term admirer of Isco but the Spaniard is not willing to wait until the summer as he is so desperate to get out of Madrid.
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He also feels he will not be an automatic pick at City and wants to cement his place in the Spain team.
Team-mate Marcelo believes Isco is the most talented member of Real’s 25-man squad preparing to defend their Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi.
The Brazil left-back said: “It’s Isco who has the most ability and quality on the pitch.”
But Isco is expected to have a bit-part role at the tournament having not started a La Liga match since Solari took over from Julen Lopetegui in October.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will have to pay £35million for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.
Blues’ assistant boss Gianfranco Zola confirmed the club’s interest in the England international, who could further boost his chances of a January move if he impresses tonight in the Carabao Cup last eight clash at Stamford Bridge.
Although he will have a late fitness check on a hamstring problem.
Wilson, 26, has scored nine goals for Bournemouth this season and his home-grown status makes him extra appealing to Chelsea.
Zola said: “I'm sure there are a lot of players linked with us. Certainly Callum Wilson is doing very well for that club. He is of interest for us and for them.
“He's strong, fast and he sees the goal. I like him because he's quick but also strong in the air, which are very important qualities.
“But having said that, I don't want to go too much into it. He's doing very well and I'm pleased for him. He has a lot of qualities which can take him a long way.”