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Published on 2024-02-22 13:25:00
Real Madrid legend Isco has spoken out about the transfer saga between himself and Manchester City. The 31-year-old, now with former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis, was once heavily linked with joining Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium in 2013. Isco had previously worked with Pellegrini at Malaga before the manager moved to the Premier League and Isco completed a €30 million transfer to Real Madrid.
During his nine-year spell at Real Madrid, Isco won the UEFA Champions League five times and was linked with potential moves to Manchester City. Isco came closest to a move to the Etihad Stadium during Pellegrini’s first transfer window at the club but ultimately chose to move to Real Madrid instead of becoming a major transfer signing for City.
Now, Isco has addressed the decision to reject Manchester City’s transfer offer in 2013 in an interview with Sport Witness. He revealed, “Before we went on holiday I told him that I was going with him. Real Madrid appeared. That’s when I had to decide. I couldn’t say no to them, and they hadn’t won the Champions League for many years and I had the feeling that it was going to happen soon.”
Isco was signed by Pellegrini last summer on a free transfer after leaving Sevilla and has featured in 29 matches across three competitions for Real Betis this season. Despite further links during the tenures of Pep Guardiola as well as Pellegrini’s, a transfer to Manchester City never materialized.
The transfer saga between Isco and Manchester City is a part of his football journey that has ultimately led him to Real Betis, where he continues to make an impact on the pitch.
Read Original article on City Xtra
