Manchester City beat Chelsea to the signing of PSV super-talent Jayden Braaf – City Watch
Manchester City have seen off rival interest from Chelsea to secure one of PSV Eindhoven’s most promising academy talents, Jayden Braaf, Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad reports.
The 15-year-old striker is considered one of the top young players in the Netherlands and has been capped at youth level by his country.
Braaf turns 16 in August at which point he will officially join Manchester City, who will pay no transfer fee but will have to hand over some developmental fees.
His uncle Stefano van Delden has confirmed the deal, with just a few details to be sorted between the clubs before the agreement becomes definite.
Chelsea had long been expected to win the race to sign Braaf, and had an agreement in principle with the teenager, but in the end he decided Manchester City would be the best place in England to continue his development.
Braaf believes he can buck the trend of many young Dutch exports not making the grade at top clubs, having confidence in his ability to go all the way to Pep Guardiola’s first team in the years to come.
A Manchester City player could be heading in the opposite direction, in a completely separate deal, with young left-back Angeliño closing in on a move to the Dutch champions.
Check out some footage of Jayden Braaf in action:
Pick up a limited edition Manchester City Premier League Champions shirt – while stocks last!