Manchester City offer professional contract to John Stones-like Dutch youngster – report

Manchester City are one of three clubs to have offered young Feyenoord defender Melayro Bogarde, nephew of former Chelsea defender Winston Bogarde, a professional contract, Jamie Jackson of The Guardian reports.

Bogarde, a 15-year-old central defender, is considered one of the best young talents because of his physique, height and, always important for City, ball-playing ability.

The Dutch youth international is able to sign his first professional contract when he turns 16 this month, and in addition to City, he has received offers from Manchester United and Arsenal, with Chelsea and Liverpool also showing interest but having not yet offered deals.

Pep Guardiola is said to view Bogarde as an ideal fit for City and views him as having similar technical potential as John Stones, one of the most comfortable defenders around with the ball at his feet.

Guardiola has invited Bogarde to view the impressive City Football Academy facilities, and the teenager will make his decision on which club to join based on which one offers him the best pathway to the first team.

City struggled to bridge the gap between youth and senior levels for a long time, but the academy has been producing greater talents of late, which has led to the likes of Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Lukas Nmecha and Tosin Adarabioyo featuring this season, despite City’s star-studded squad.

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