Manchester City fans may hope to see Lionel Messi arrive at the Etihad Stadium – but what about signing a player who could be the next Messi?
That’s a tag often given to players, and City tried it once before when they signed Gai Assulin… the less said about that one, the better.
Still, City could try and land another young attacker being compared to Messi, with Dario Sarmiento thought to be a target.
El Dia report that City are closing in on a deal to sign the Estudiantes attacker, with a ‘total agreement’ believes to be in place.
The 17-year-old has only played 15 times for Estudiantes, registering one assist, but is considered to be one of the top talents in Argentina.
Sarmiento predominantly plays on the right flank but can play up front, and whilst Brexit rules mean he can’t sign this month, a summer move seems inevitable.
South American football expert Tim Vickery has offered his view to Sky Sports, suggesting that the deal could be worth around £10million with more money to come.
Vickery added that Sarmiento is something of a ‘mini Messi’, even though it’s a ‘horrible’ comparison to give him at such a young age, noting that his potential is ‘enchanting’.
“He’s not 18 until March, so City can’t take him until the next transfer window, but the negotiation is definitely happening,” said Vickery. “The president of his club in Argentina, Juan Sebastian Veron, is saying… we’re negotiating with City, and we’d like the cash. City, entirely on promise, it looks as if they’re prepared to shell out nearly £10million for him, with the possibilities of more later on.”
“What is he? Well, it’s a horrible thing to say to a young man, but there is a little bit of a mini Messi about him. Little, left footed, very tight dribbling skills, and he’s got vision as well. It is though all promise at the moment; he’s had a handful of first-team games, and there’s a long, long distance between promise and reality – but the promise is certainly enchanting,” he added.
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