Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is happy to turn the screw on crisis club Real Madrid.

As they stumble this season, Guardiola spies an opening to take advantage and tempt not one - but two of their best young players to England.

Don Balon says the City manager's long-term admiration for Isco hasn't wavered and despite the midfielder penning new terms, Guardiola is still keen.

If Real continue to struggle, City chiefs have been informed Isco would be willing to jump ship - and the chance to work with Guardiola would be attractive.

And the midfielder isn't the only Real player on Guardiola's radar.

Real defender Raphael Varane is also under consideration, despite his injury record, as Guardiola seeks a long-term successor for captain Vincent Kompany.

Like Isco, Varane is a first-choice at Real, but City's spending power and emerging status in European football would turn his head should they firm up their interest.