Real Madrid reject Chelsea offer for Isco

Real Madrid have rejected a 27 million euro offer from Chelsea for midfielder Isco, according to reports.

Former Santiago Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho looked to launch a raid on his old club for the creative man as a replacement for Juventus-bound Oscar, the Daily Mirror said.

But Los Blancos told the Stamford Bridge outfit they are unwilling to sell the 23-year-old, who Rafa Benitez sees as a key member of the squad.

Isco joined the 10-time Champions League winners two summers ago from Malaga in a 30-million-euro move. He got off to a great start, scoring on his debut, but found himself victim of Carlo Ancelotti’s switch from a 4-4-2 formation to 4-3-3.

The midfielder was believed to be unhappy at a lack of first team opportunities in his first season at the club but reinvented himself last season and played an important role in midfield, covering the absence of the injured Luka Modric.

Isco, a full Spain international, is happy at the club and has already spoken to Benitez about his role in the team in the coming season. Should Chelsea look to ramp up their interest in him though, they would almost certainly face serious competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City, who tried to sign Isco prior to his move to Madrid.