Premier League duo Everton and Southampton wanted Manchester City’s Matondo – but he’s headed to the Bundesliga with Schalke 04.
Everton and Southampton have both been left frustrated in their pursuit of Manchester City’s latest fleet-footed wonderkid Rabbi Matondo.
The Mail reported a week ago that the 18-year-old winger had turned down an offer to extend his contract with the Premier League champions. Matondo’s current deal expires in 2020 and he apparently had his heart set on following Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz out of the exit door.
The report added that Everton and Southampton were both lurking, hoping to snap up the teenager on a cut-price deal.
And you can see why, given that both Marco Silva and Ralph Hasenhuttl are coaches who have built their reputations upon fast-paced attacking football relying on incisive wing play.
But, according to Sky Sports, Matondo has joined Sancho in the Bundesliga instead. Manchester City have sold the one-time Wales international to Schalke for a fee of £10 million.
Schalke, who will play City in the Champions League next month, have beaten off competition from the likes of Hoffenheim and AC Milan, according to The Telegraph.
But while City will be hoping they are not left red-faced again, Matondo could be one that got away for both Everton and Southampton too.
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