Manchester City join nine-club battle to sign out of contract FC Porto prodigy

Manchester City have become part of a major ongoing battle to sign FC Porto starlet Cardoso Varela this summer.

The 15-year-old, who was promoted to FC Porto’s Under-17s this season and subsequently made three UEFA Youth League appearances, has been attracting interest from across Europe ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Varela is set to have a series of potential transfer options prior to the 2024/25 campaign, with the successful City Football Academy emerging as a possible destination for the out of contract 2008-born starlet.

The City Football Academy continues to enjoy huge success, with Manchester City’s Under-18s recently winning the FA Youth Cup at the Etihad Stadium with a 4-0 win over Leeds United.

Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis have all become important members of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, meanwhile CFA graduate Cole Palmer has 31 direct goal involvements in the Premier League for Chelsea this season.

Manchester City have also continued to secure global talent, with Claudio Echeverri completing a £12.5 million move in January from River Plate, and 14-year-old US prodigy Cavan Sullivan also agreeing a record transfer to the Etihad.

The Cityzens are linked with a potential major summer transfer coup, with Manchester City amongst a nine-club battle for the signature of Porto forward Varela, who is out of contract next month.

Manchester City, PSG, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are all interested in signing the 15-year-old, according to a Foot Mercato report relayed by Sport Witness.

The Sky Blues are further claimed to have ‘made a concrete offer’ to the Porto teen, with the player ‘spoiled for choice’ ahead of becoming a free agent in June.

Varela could still agree a new contract with FC Porto, however the situation ‘remains precarious’ ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.