PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Riyad Mahrez – Will Isco interest spoil his move to Man City?

Southampton's Ryan Bertrand (left) and Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez battle for the ball during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday December 13, 2017. See PA story SOCCER Southampton. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Mar 30, 2018. 13:00

With Algeria and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, there is a new twist in the story.

Latest reports suggest that the Citizens are chasing Real Madrid star Isco, and he will make his move to Etihad this coming transfer window.

According to a Spanish journalist, Jose Alvarez Haya, City could sign Isco this summer and that could make Mahrez’s situation a bit awkward.

The story, which broke on Wednesday night on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, came in the same week that Isco scored his first ever career hat-trick for the Spanish national side.

Isco was the star of the show as Spain destroyed Argentina 6-1 in a friendly just two months before the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I want to show that I’m a good player. (Julen) Lopetegui shows me confidence with the minutes he gives me,” said Isco.

“In Madrid, I don’t have the confidence a player needs. Maybe I’m the problem in Madrid. I don’t know how to win Zidane’s confidence.”

On the other hand, City manager, Pep Guardiola made attempts to sign Mahrez in the January transfer window, but it failed on deadline day.

While most expect Mahrez to leave the Foxes at the end of the season, the assumption is that if City sign Isco, a move for Mahrez could be shelved.