Man City 'agree' British-record transfer fee with Leeds United
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Manchester City are set to add another potential gem to their academy setup as they continue to invest in young talent. While City have spent a significant amount over the last decade or so, they have also learned to be smart with their academy along the way.
With Financial Fair Play always a concern for big-spending clubs, City have long been aware that they need to be producing top talents to both save money on incoming signings and to raise their margin to spend by agreeing sales or loan deals, a system rivals Chelsea have mastered since their overhaul just after the turn of the millenium.
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Hide AdRico Lewis is the latest example of City's academy playing a key role, with the midfielder now a significant part of Pep Guardiola's plans at the age of 18. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who scored the equaliser against City for Chelsea on Sunday, was sold for £42.5million during the summer window.
As City look to continue thriving on that front, they have reportedly agreed a British-record fee for a 15-year-old player to sign a Leeds United talent. The Athletic claim a deal has been struck with the Championship Whites to sign youngster Finley Gorman. It's claimed a seven-figure fee has been agreed, with the 15-year-old set to make the move to City in the near future.
Gorman is an attacking midfielder who can also play out wide, and he represented England under-16s before his 15th birthday in the not too distant past. Leeds are unable to offer Gorman a professional deal until his 17th birthday, and so they have their hands tied in many ways, with City only needing to agree upon a compensation figure with the Yorkshire club. It's claimed that figure has now fixed at a record amount for a player of Gorman's age, and that will come as no surprise to Leeds fans, given the youngster is one of the highest-rated players in the club's youth ranks.
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