RB Leipzig push to sign Manchester City academy wonderkid with promise of Champions League football – City Watch

RB Leipzig push to sign Manchester City academy wonderkid with promise of Champions League football

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Jadon Sancho of Manchester City and Mason Mount of Chelsea in action during the FA Youth Cup Final, second leg between Chelsea and Mancherster City at Stamford Bridge on April 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Manchester City have one of English football’s great young hopes on their books in the form of 17-year-old Jadon Sancho, an exciting and skillful winger who has lit up the youth ranks for club and country.

Sancho moved to City from Watford in 2016 for an initial fee of £66,000, which could rise to £500,000 depending on his progress. So far his progress has been superb, and there is a feeling within the club that he can break through to the first-team and become a home-grown English star.

However, a player of his talent does not go unnoticed and Arsenal have been circling for months, with top scout Steve Rowley watching him repeatedly.

It appeared that City had fended off interest from North London, but a new threat has emerged in the form of RB Leipzig, the high-flying Bundesliga club who are becoming renowned for identifying, signing, and developing young prospects with the potential to go far in the game.

According to German newspaper BILD, RasenBallsport sporting director Ralf Rangnick has identified Sancho as one of the ‘Bluechips’ with the highest possible value growth.

The Red Bull-owned side have been on Sancho’s trail for months and BILD reveals that his advisors were given a tour of the Bundesliga club’s academy and stadium on April 1, as they began attempts to convince the player and his representatives of their project.

However, the strongest pull for Sancho could be the fact that RB Leipzig are offering him the chance to play in next season’s Champions League. This is assuming they are allowed in, which is in doubt because of two Red Bull-owned clubs qualifying.

Die Bullen are not alone in their interest in signing one of the most exciting teenagers in European football. In addition to Arsenal, two more Bundesliga clubs are after Sancho, who it is thought will join Pep Guardiola’s first-team when they head to America for pre-season preparations.