Manchester City targets £30m-rated Malaga striker Isco

Manchester City's newly appointed director of football Txiki Begiristain has identified Malaga striker Isco (real name Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez) as the club's No 1 target in January.

Begiristain joined City this week as a technical director in a move which will spell re-organisation behind the scenes at Eastlands.

The 48-year-old is ready to team up with his friend, City chief executive and former Barcelona vice-president, Ferran Soriano and has already identified Isco, 20, as a main priority.

Isco has impressed in La Liga but still has 4 years to run on his contract at Malaga with a £17million buyout clause.

The club are trying to tie him down to a new deal which would increase the buy-out clause to £30m, still well withing City's reach.

The Malaga striker made his Champions League debut against Zenit St Petersburg this season and scored 2 goals and has bagged 4 in all competitions in his 12 appearances this term.