Chelsea have taken a major step towards sealing the signing of one of Spain's most talented young players Isco, after loaning Lucas Piazon to Malaga.
By allowing the Brazilian youngster to spend the rest of the season on loan at the Spanish club, Chelsea have procured first option on Isco, with the Blues now the clear frontrunners to land the 20-year-old at the end of the season, according to the London Evening Standard.
Isco is having a good season with Malaga this year, with Real Madrid reportedly having a bid of around £13 million ($21 million) turned down earlier this month.
Malaga, though, are in serious financial trouble, and will be forced to sell some of their assets at the end of the season to balance their accounts.
Chelsea will look to take advantage of that situation by pouncing on Isco, with the Blues having the option to match any offer made for the player.
All this was facilitated by the loan deal agreed for Piazon, with the Brazilian playmaker given an opportunity to gain some first team experience after failing to break through into the Chelsea lineup this year.
Piazon's mother Pauline Marizabel Piazon confirmed the move on her Twitter account.
"Guys! Lucas landed in Malaga, time for a new challenge," she wrote. "(He will be in) Spain on loan until the end of this season!"
Isco will fit right in with Roman Abramovich's youth policy, which has led to the likes of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole being told they are free to leave in the summer when their contract expires.
Chelsea are also in the market for a defensive midfielder, with Marouane Fellaini of Everton and Stephane Mbia of Queens Park Rangers linked with moves, both in January and at the end of the season.
There is an element of doubt now as to who will be in charge at Stamford Bridge next year, with No. 1 target Pep Guardiola deciding to sign for Bayern Munich.
Rafa Benitez's hopes of staying on for longer than this season diminished further when Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead at home against Southampton, effectively ending their slim title hopes.