Milan have Isco fever

ITALIAN giants AC Milan are determined to gazump Manchester United as they step up their bid to land Real Madrid outcast Isco.

United boss Jose Mourinho was reported to be interested in capturing attacking midfielder Isco, 24, in the January transfer window for around £24million.

But moneybags Milan are prepared to go as high as £35m, even though they would have preferred to take the Bernabeu star on loan.

The Spanish giants want hard cash for Isco, who has fallen out of favour under current Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and would happily do business with Milan to frustrate former Real boss Mourinho.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Isco but it is become increasingly evident that the Premier League will not be the Spain international’s next destination.

STEVE MILLAR