Real Madrid Transfer Rumors--Part II: Where'd Isco?

But not so fast, it seems. The brilliant, ascendant midfielder told reporters that he is no hurry to decide his future and, certainly more troubling for Madridistas, that he would strongly consider following Manuel Pellegrini to his next coaching destination, such is his admiration for the outgoing Malaga boss.

Speaking of Pellegrini, Isco said:

"He's been my footballing father and I know that he likes me and, for me, of course I would like to continue with him because he's given me all the confidence in the world"

Isco also said that abundant first team minutes would be the most important factor in his decision regarding where to play next year:

"I want to play, wherever it is, and that's the most important thing. I don't want to regret it after not getting many minutes. I'm not closing my door to anyone but my priority is to play and I don't want to be on the bench. We'll see what happens in the summer."

Pellegrini has been heavily linked to the Manchester City job, so it seems that the deep-pocketed Citizens could emerge as major contenders for the Spanish U-21 international's services. Who knows how Pellegrini views City's roster, but at a glance Isco would appear a lock to grab major minutes in City's narrow midfield mix.

According to the Guardian's excellently tongue-in-cheek Rumor Mill, Napoli talisman Edinson Cavani tops Real's want list, but the striker's enormous buyout clause is thought to be far more than Los Blancos are willing to shell out. The Guardian notes, via a tip from the Sun, that Real could soon turn their attention to signing Liverpool's Luis Suarez since Cavani, Radamel Falcao and Robert Lewandowski are all likely to be out of the Bernabeu's reach. Gonzalo Higuain's imminent departure certainly makes signing a striker a priority for the side and it'll be interesting to see if an approach for Suarez is actually made.

That's it for this installment of transfer rumor round-up. Let us know what you are hearing.