Man City's AUDACIOUS transfer offer for Barcelona's 'next Messi'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 16 Aug 2023 16:32 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester City attempted an audacious swoop for Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, according to Spanish media.
Many players have been called the 'next Lionel Messi' in the neverending search for the next big megastar, but Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal may be different to the likes of Bojan Krkic and Alen Halilovic.
The youngest player in Barcelona history to have featured in a competitive game for the first team, the still-only-16-year-old has never not impressed when he has stepped on a pitch. However, given his age, he is not yet a guaranteed starter, and it would be unfair to put that kind of pressure on such a young player.
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Still mostly featuring for the Blaugrana's second time in the third division, Yamal could have been playing consistent LaLiga minutes this season, if Spanish media is to be believed.
Yamal to Manchester via Girona
According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City tried to sign the youngster via Girona. Yamal is still on an academy contract - which is causing some anxiety in Catalonia - and due to his age, City would have used their fellow City Football Group side Girona to sign the youngster permanently, essentially giving the sister club in Manchester control over his next career steps.
The plan would then have been to eventually move him to the Premier League side, claims the report. However, there was never any interest in that as Barcelona had been quick to convince Yamal and superstar agent Jorge Mendes that his future very much lies in Barcelona and not an hour's drive to the north in Girona.
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The 16-year-old featured for 14 minutes in Barcelona's scoreless season opener against Getafe, creating a gorgeous chance that was spurned by Ansu Fati. Girona, meanwhile, earned a 1-1 draw against Champions League side Real Sociedad on matchday one.
