Manchester City beat Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich to USA wonderkid

Premier League champions Manchester City have beaten away competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs to an exciting, emerging talent from the United States.

The news comes in the same week that Manchester City themselves have placed their attentions on the United States, with Pep Guardiola and his players travelling across the Atlantic this summer for their pre-season tour.

In a four-match series of the eastern coast of the United States, Manchester City will warm-up for the 2024/25 season with contests against Celtic, Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea in a number of the country’s most iconic arenas, including Yankee Stadium in New York City.

With the USA rapidly becoming a focal point for many football clubs both on the field and commercially, Manchester City have beaten away competition from a number of Europe’s very best clubs to secure the next best talent emerging from the country.

As first reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are now closing in on a deal to sign USA wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, with a deal having been agreed for the 2009-born talent.

It is detailed that the 14-year-old nicknamed ‘Captain America’ is set to join Manchester City in the next years from Philadelphia Union, despite interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich.

Additional reporting from The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Mark Critchley has revealed that the plan would be for Sullivan to be loaned to City Football Group club Lommel SK when he turns 16-years-old, although ‘nothing is yet determined’.

The Athletic further report that Cavan Sullivan does not have an EU passport, and as such cannot play for Manchester City until he turns 18-year-old.

Manchester City have had a number of connections to the USA through playing personnel over the years, with their most recent USMNT star being goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who brought an end to his time at the Etihad Stadium in January.

A number of USA women’s football stars have also featured for Manchester City’s equivalent over the seasons, with the likes of Carli Lloyd and Abby Dahlkemper having featured for the Joie Stadium club.