Manchester City centre-back granted permission to join Rangers on temporary basis

Rangers have taken rising Manchester City academy centre-back Marley Leuluai on a trial with a view to signing the teenager on a permanent contract.

The teenager – who is the son of former Rugby League star Kylie Leuluai and from a New Zealand rugby family – has been part of Manchester City’s academy since primary school age, playing football from the age of seven being being spotted by Blackburn Rovers.

A year after joining up with the Ewood Park club, Leuluai then switched to Manchester City, and has since represented the New Zealand national team at youth level while also being managed by SEG Football.

Despite a meteoric rise in the game since progressing from Blackburn Rovers, the teenager’s future at the City Football Academy is in doubt with the Premier League side yet to finalise the player’s future at the club.

According to Pete O’Rourke reporting for Football Insider, Manchester City’s Marley Leuluai has now headed to Scottish Premier League giants Rangers this week for a trial ahead of a potential permanent transfer to the club.

The Premier League champions are yet to offer the 16 year-old a scholarship as the summer approaches, opening the door for rival clubs to make a move and exploit his potential availability.

Rangers have held interest in a number of Manchester City academy stars in recent seasons, looking into the possibility of temporary and permanent deals for the likes of Cole Palmer and James Trafford.

An enquiry was made into the possibility of taking Palmer on loan for the rest of the ongoing season with the promise of regular first-team football in recent months – an offer that was swiftly rejected by Manchester City.

As for goalkeeping talent Trafford, the England youth international is currently going from strength to strength, and despite there being some claims that he could be set for a first-team role at the Etihad Stadium next season, Rangers continue to hold an interest in his services.