Reports in Spain indicate that Chelsea may face a challenge for the signature of Real Madrid star Isco, from Premier League rivals Manchester City.
According to Spanish publication AS, City, and their huge spending power, may usurp a bid of around £35m Chelsea may have needed to acquire the midfielder.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is said to have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of summer transfer activity so far by the reigning PL champions.
However, any bid for the talented Isco may well be usurped by their title rivals.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini bossed the player when he was in charge at Malaga, and remains a fan to this day.
The 23-year-old flourished under Pellegrini at Malaga, winning the Golden Boy award in 2012, before the Bernabeu giants snapped him up for £23m. The Golden Boy is an award that is given by sports journalists to a young football player playing in Europe perceived to have been the most impressive during a season.
Both City and Chelsea were linked with the Spanish international before he moved to the capital, and their interest has not waned.
Isco has drawn comparisons to French legend, and former Real Galactico, Zinedine Zidane, by the man himself.
by Steve Osborne
