MX23RW : Tuesday, May 21 15:41:34| >> :120:16754:16754:

Manchester City, Barcelona 'among clubs keen on signing in-demand prospect'

Man City, Barca 'among clubs keen on in-demand prospect'
© Reuters
Manchester City and Barcelona are reportedly among the clubs who are keen on signing Sporting Lisbon youngster Sana Fernandes.

Manchester City and Barcelona are reportedly among an array of clubs who are contemplating an approach for Sporting Lisbon youngster Sana Fernandes.

With the summer transfer window having recently opened, all of European football's top clubs are looking at how to strengthen their respective first-team squads ahead of 2022-23.

However, despite issues revolving around that side of the transfer market being their priority, that does not mean that scouts will be advising the relevant hierarchies of players for the future.

According to transfer expert Ekrem Konur, that appears to be the case with regards to Fernandes, a teenager making his way at Sporting.

The versatile forward, who was born in Guinea, has been part of the Portuguese side's academy for a number of years and has just contributed 10 goals for the Under-16s side.

Elsewhere, it has been implied that no fee will be involved if a deal can be reached before Fernandes is given the chance to pen professional terms at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Barcelona coach Xavi on March 6, 2022© Reuters

Portuguese outlet O Jogo backs up Konur's story that Man City and Barcelona are both big admirers of the 16-year-old and could make a formal approach.

Both clubs hold a desire to strengthen their youth setups, and the feeling is that Fernandes can eventually fulfil his potential by representing the senior team.

Although City have recently produced Phil Foden, Barcelona have by far the stronger track record when it comes to involving their academy players in first-team fixtures.

That is something which could appeal to Fernandes, even though anything other than academy football is not realistic at this stage of his progression.

Konur adds that numerous other clubs are ready to rival City and Barcelona, including Bundesliga pair Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, both of whom have offered obvious pathways into the first-team picture to prospects in the past.

Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Napoli are also said to be keen, although they appear as nothing more than outsiders in the race for Fernandes's signature.

ID:487918:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4209:

Click here for more stories about Sana Fernandes

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their fifth goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review on February 15, 2022
Read Next:
Man City transfer roundup: Gabriel Jesus latest and Bernardo Silva price tag
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!