• Premier League

Malaga confirm Pellegrini can join Man City

Manuel Pellegrini has been told he is free to leave Malaga at the end of the season according to reports in Spain, with the club confirming his €4 million buy-out clause will be waived.

Andalucian paper Diario del Sur claimed on Wednesday that Pellegrini's agent Jesus Martinez had negotiated a deal so that the Chilean coach, who has two years left on his contract, can leave on June 30 without any new club paying the €4 million release clause. "Manuel Pellegrini will leave Malaga, barring a miracle being produced," the paper said.

That is being reported as confirmed on Wednesday morning with the Chilean expected to be named as Roberto Mancini's successor at the Etihad at the end of the Spanish season on June 1.

City's interest in Boquerones starlet Isco could potentially follow Pellegrini to City, according to AS, who say Monaco's interest in the player has accelerated City's talks, with sporting director Txiki Begiristain having already agreed terms with his representatives, although Malaga are holding out for the €35 million price included in the contract signed earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Malaga's chances of playing in Europe next season have been given a boost after the Spanish FA [RFEF] granted the club a licence to play in European competition.

Clubs are only supposed to get the okay from their national federations if they have settled all debts by December 31 of the previous year. A Malaga 'source' told El Pais the RFEF decision showed their appeal of their current one-year UEFA ban - imposed due to "financial irregularities" - would now be overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] on June 4.

"This is good news for our interests, which shows that we have fulfilled [their obligations] and that the appeal we have presented to the CAS has all the sense in the world," the source said. "Malaga fulfills all the requirements to play in Europe."

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