Manchester City are launching a bid for Malaga star Isco.

The Sun says City's newly appointed director of football Txiki Begiristain has wasted no time in recommending £30million-rated Isco.

City boss Roberto Mancini was already a fan of the man dubbed the new Cesc Fabregas in Spain.

And he watched Malaga's midfield star, 20, in action against Atletico Madrid this month.

Isco made such progress last season that he won a Spanish call-up in May and had a £17m buy-out clause put in his contract.

But now Malaga are trying to agree a new deal and increase that trigger to £30m, which they hope will be enough to deter City and Real Madrid, who are also interested.