Man City went ‘all out’ to sign 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal from Barcelona in the summer
- Man City have reportedly ‘pulled out all the stops’ to sign Lamine Yamal this summer
- The 16-year-old is making headlines as one of the most exciting young prospects
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast It all starts!
Lamine Yamal is making headlines as one of the most exciting young talents in world football at the moment and could have joined Manchester City this summer, with Pep Guardiola’s side reportedly pushing hard to sign the 16-year-old.
The Barcelona youth academy graduate made his debut last season at the age of 15, coming on as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Real Betis in April.
He hit the headlines again this season, becoming the youngest player to start a LaLiga match this century in Barcelona’s victory over Cadiz.
Since then he has profiled himself as a regular face Xavi’s side, with the right winger appearing in all four of his side’s opening games in LaLiga, most notably providing two assists in their 4-3 win against Villarreal at the end of August.
Yamal has received rave reviews from many within the football world, with some claiming he is the club’s best talent since Lionel Messi. Unpleasant Radio Marc.
Man City did everything they could to sign 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal (photo) from Barcelona this summer
Pep Guardiola’s side (pictured) ‘came with everything’ to sign the young star but failed to land their man
The Barcelona youth academy graduate made his debut last season aged just 15, coming on as a substitute in their 4-0 win against Real Betis in April.
According to Marca journalist David Sanchez“Real Madrid were not close to signing Yamal from Barca, but Real Madrid were not. The team that had everything for the Barcelona youth player was Man City.’
These claims were also reportedly acknowledged by President Joan Laporta’s advisor Enric Masip, who added that there was a good chance Yamal could have left the club this summer.
“Yamal and Alejandro Balde were in a serious situation to leave this summer because there is a club that tried to ‘get’ them,” Masip said, according to Radio Marca, when pressure was put on rumors that Yamal could have left the club .
It comes as Man City may look to renew their winger stocks after selling both Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer this summer.
Yamal (pictured) is one of the most impressive young talents in world football at the moment, most notably when he scored on his senior debut for Spain in their 7-1 win against Georgia last week
Yamal (centre) has played in all four of Barcelona’s opening matches this season, becoming the youngest player to start a LaLiga match this century
Yamal impressed again for his national team last week. He scored on his senior debut for Spain to make history again. He became the youngest player to score for La Roja during the 7-1 win against Georgia.
Barcelona realize they have enormous talent and, according to football director Deco, plan to sign both their young stars, Yamal and Balde, on long-term deals.
On the contract talks, Deco said: “They are on their way, the club’s plan is to keep them. Certainly, we are going to renew them. Lamine Yamal signs until 2026 because, being only 16 years old, she cannot sign a longer bond. And Balde will in principle do that until 2028.
About Yamal, Deco said: ‘He is a player who surprised us. He has his feet on the ground. He has a different quality.
‘Today we are experiencing an important situation for the club. There are many young protagonists. He’s 16 years old and we need to let him have fun. The coach will know how to handle him and may the growth continue.”
