According to reports from The Evening Standard yesterday evening, Manchester City are ‘closing in’ on highly-rated Fulham youngster Patrick Roberts.
The teenage winger is widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in English football, boasting 14 goals and 31 caps for the Three Lions across the junior levels and playing a pivotal role in the U17s claiming the European Championship in May 2014.
He was named in the Team of the Tournament after amassing three goals and four assists in five appearances, which has gained Roberts considerably notoriety amongst the Premier League’s big boys. According to reports from The Express in April, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been tracking the youngster’s progress.
The west London outfit’s battle against relegation this season, however, eventually finishing the season in 17th place, has afforded the 18 year-old just three starts in the Championship – and with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, there’s now a feeling his development could be better served at another club.
According to The Evening Standard, City view themselves as the perfect candidates. Roberts would become a member of Patrick Vieira’s development squad, whilst pushing for a role at senior level.
With little progress since Fulham manager Kit Symons claimed in April that Roberts would sign a new deal, as reported by Sky Sports, a summer move seems likely, but whether Manuel Pellegrini’s side are prepared to match The Cottagers’ £10million valuation remains to be seen.