Manchester City
Premier League • England
Fabrizio Romano confirms Man City poised to beat Man Utd, Tottenham to transfer no one saw coming
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag and Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Man City are in talks over completing a left-field transfer of a player wanted by Man Utd, Tottenham and Brentford, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Pep Guardiola’s side are “favourites”.
Much has been made of Man City’s lavish spending over the last decade or so, but going under the radar has been a more recent willingness to blood their most promising youngsters into the first-team.
Phil Foden is the obvious example, though he’s since been joined by fellow academy graduates Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer.
Lewis and Palmer aren’t close to being regular starters just yet. However, they have made an encouraging 19 (Lewis) and 22 (Palmer) senior first-team appearances across all competitions this season.
A healthy academy that churns out future first-team stars is vital for all clubs. According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City are primed to add a “huge talent” to their youth ranks.
The trusted reporter tweeted Man City and Brentford are both “in talks” with “highly rated” Wimbledon goalkeeper, Thorsten Brits.
The 15-year-old – more commonly known as ‘Spike’ Brits – is an England Under-16 international and is courting heavyweight interest.
Indeed, LondonNewsOnline reported in February that Man Utd and Tottenham both liked what they’d seen from Brits.
Spurs and United were deemed to be ‘in the running’ for the stopper who’s been featuring the Wimbledon’s U18s despite being just 15 years old.
News on Brits’ future had gone quiet in the subsequent months and until today, Man City had not been mentioned alongside a move for the teenager.
However, according to Romano, it’s Man City and Brentford who’ve taken the lead by opening talks.
Offering a concrete clue on who’ll win the race, the journalist added Man City are “favourites” to sign Brits.
If a move to the Etihad is agreed, he’ll slot straight into their academy and hopes will be high he can make an impact in the first-team down the line.