Zinedine Zidane reportedly helped to convince Malaga’s Isco to sign for Real Madrid over Manchester City this summer.
It is widely believed that Madrid will confirm later this week a deal for the 21-year-old, who was seen as between a tug of war between Los Blancos and Manuel Pellegrini’s new side City.
Marca understand that Madrid’s would-be new assistant Coach Zidane, who may also work once more in an advisory capacity to President Florentino Perez on transfer matters, played a key role in securing this deal.
In a move similar to helping Madrid beat Manchester United to Raphael Varane’s signature in 2011, it is understood that the former midfielder rang Isco during the UEFA Under-21 Championship in Israel to convince him that he would play an important part at the Santiago Bernabeu from next season.
The player was reportedly unsure of playing time he would receive in competition with Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and company, but Zidane’s conversation reportedly swayed his mind.
Zidane is also believed to have similarly convinced Perez to make the move for Isco this summer, when he was not that decided on the playmaker.
