Manchester City beat rivals United to signing of highly-rated Championship winger

Premier League champions Manchester City have beaten away competition from cross-town rivals United and secured an agreement with a highly-rated Cardiff City forward.

It is the latest venture from the Etihad Stadium club to storm ahead of the chasing pack when it comes to Europe’s best up and coming talents, having secured the services of a number of young names in recent weeks.

Widespread reports from across the game have suggested that Manchester City have won the race for highly-rated Philadelphia Union talent Cavan Sullivan, while Leeds United’s 2008-born sensation Finlay Gorman also made the switch.

Now, the City Football Academy project has won over the signature of another bright spark from within the UK talent base, as Manchester City have beaten the likes of rivals Manchester United to Timeo Whisker.

As per the information of AcademyScoop on X, the highly-rated Cardiff City winger previously had tours at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground and ‘almost’ signed for the Old Trafford club before ultimately opting for rivals City.

It is further detailed that the 15-year-old had previously agreed to sign for Manchester City last summer before suffering a heartbreaking leg break injury which led to a deal collapsing.

Fortunately for both player and club, and as per confirmation from various sources including transfer window insiders David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, a new deal with Manchester City has now been agreed for a fee of around £250,000.

It remains to be seen what Manchester City have in store for Whisker, however given the club’s wide-ranging access to a number of clubs across the globe through the City Football Group, there could be the opportunity for development at senior level further afield in future.

In further testament to the talents being developed at the City Football Academy, Manchester City saw one of their teenage prospects called up to train with England’s senior men’s squad earlier this week.

City Football Academy defender Kian Noble was called-up to accompany the England senior squad in training on Wednesday, with the 16-year-old talent having been suspended for the nation’s under-17 fixture on the same day.