Manchester City are reportedly ‘very interested’ in signing young AS Monaco goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta.
The 17-year-old is the son of Marseille legend Pascal Olmeta, who was a European champion in 1993.
He has followed in his father’s footsteps already by being a European champion himself, at U17 level with France, where his heroics in penalty shoot-out quarter-final and semi-final wins against Germany and Portugal respectively ensured that his country won the title in 2022.
French news outlet Foot Mercato are reporting that Pep Guardiola’s City are one of a number of clubs that are ‘very interested’ in signing Olmeta, with Premier League rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Leeds United also credited with interest.
Monaco have offered him a professional contract, but he has not signed, meaning that he can leave as a free agent at the end of June.
TIF thoughts on Olmeta to City…
With City number two Stefan Ortega making a bad mistake in their 2-0 loss away at Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek, Guardiola may be looking at other goalkeepers to understudy Ederson for next season.
It is not clear whether the Etihad outfit would be bringing in Olmeta for their youth set-up, or throw him straight into the first-team batch of goalkeepers, but the six-foot-two prospect has already shown his strengths at the tender age of just 17.
Nonetheless, signing him on a free transfer could turn out to be a real bargain, if the Frenchman develops well over the next few campaigns.