“City are thought to want the Spanish playmaker as soon as possible, with a January move now being touted.

“Isco is a long-term target of City's. Only a last-minute phone call from Zinedine Zidane hijacked the Blues' attempt to sign him back in the summer of 2013 when Manuel Pellegrini, who had worked with the 23-year-old at Malaga, had just taken over at the club.

“The move to the Spanish capital hasn't worked out as he would have liked. He's behind Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez in Real's attacking pecking order.

“He's started nine La Liga matches this season – and has been subbed off in six of them.

Isco and Pellegrini enjoyed a fine relationship during their two years together at Malaga and the City boss is thought to have remained a keen admirer.”

The Mirror state: “Liverpool starlet Jerome Sinclair could be a shock target for Manchester City.

“City have had scouts at recent Liverpool under-21 games and are keeping tabs on Sinclair’s contract stand-off at Anfield.

“Sinclair, 20, is out of contract at the end of the season and talks have so far stalled which could leave him as a free agent next summer.

“It would be a major blow for Liverpool to lose Sinclair to one of their direct rivals but it seems increasingly likely the forward will leave Anfield.”