Pep Guardiola Reportedly Makes Isco Contact Amid Summer Transfer Rumours

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly held discussions with Real Madrid midfielder Isco about a potential move to the Premier League leaders in the summer. 

Journalist Jorge Calabres said on El Chiringuito that the City chief has made promises to the Spain international with a view to a potential transfer at the end of the season (h/t journalist Jose Alvarez Haya):

Although Isco signed a new long-term contract at Real Madrid at the start of the campaign, his future at the club has been called into question again recently after comments he made following Spain's 6-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday.

After the match, in which Isco starred and netted a hat-trick, he was critical of Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane for not giving him regular starts at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

"In Madrid, I don't have the confidence a player needs," he said, per Marca (h/t Sky Sports). "The matches with the national team give me life. Here, I have the confidence of the coach. … Maybe I'm the problem in Madrid. I don't know how to win Zidane's confidence."

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The remarks triggered speculation about a possible exit at the end of the campaign. And given Isco's stylistic traits, rumours about a move to City make sense.

According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, the Etihad Stadium outfit have been keeping an eye on the 25-year-old for a long time:

Having waited a while to cement his place in the first team at Madrid following a switch from Malaga in 2013, Isco appeared to have done exactly that last season, shining in Gareth Bale's absence.

Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, he was Los Blancos' major threat in attack, knitting play together wonderfully in the final third as Madrid romped to La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. 

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However, this season has not been as profitable for Isco, and his frustration at the situation is clear. At Madrid, with Bale, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez also battling for spots on the flanks, a starting berth is not guaranteed.

Isco looks a different player for Spain, and the playmaker destroyed Argentina on Tuesday with a masterful performance:

As ESPN FC's David Cartlidge noted, after being left out of the 2016 UEFA European Championship squad, Isco is vital for the national side ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup:

At City, in a possession-based team with an attacking blueprint, you sense Isco would blossom. The midfielder would surely relish the chance to work alongside Guardiola.

The Etihad Stadium club are well-stocked in attacking midfield, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling all able to operate in similar roles to Isco.

Even so, if a player of the Madrid man's talent were to become available in the summer, City would surely be tempted to make a move.