PSG step up pursuit of €35m-rated Malaga star Isco

The race is intensifying for the Spain star, with the big-spending French giants in pole position for a summer move having scouted the 21-year-old in a recent Liga match

Paris Saint-Germain are set to raise the stakes in the race for Malaga star Isco after the club sent scouts to watch the player in action last weekend.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Monaco have shown an interest in the 21-year-old but the Andalusians have remained steadfast in their refusal not to negotiate below the former Valencia man's €35 million release clause.

Now PSG are ready to usurp fellow suitors after sporting director Leonardo ordered scouts to watch Isco in Malaga's 2-1 Liga victory over Getafe at La Rosaleda on Sunday. The French club's presence could well spark other clubs into action as the chase intensifies for Isco, who has a contract with the Liga outfit until 2016.

The transfer tussle comes on the back of a second season of stand-out performances from the forward, which helped Manuel Pellegrini's side reach the last eight of the Champions League and have seen the side head into the final five games of the league season in the running for a top-four place.