Patrick Roberts to Manchester City: Highly-rated Fulham teenager set to join Manuel Pellegrini's side

City move to make 18-year-old first signing of the summer

(Getty Images)

Manchester City are closing in on signing teenager Patrick Roberts from Fulham.

The 18-year-old winger is in high demand and has just one year left on his contract at Craven Cottage. All of the top Premier League clubs are interested in the England Under-19 international but City last night have moved into pole position to bring him to Manchester.

Roberts started just three games last season as Fulham struggled to adapt to life back in the Championship, and had to fight to stay in the division. The west London club had hoped to convince Roberts to commit his future there, offering him a new long-term contract, but City were last night close to winning the competition for his signature.

Roberts was part of the Fulham side that lost to Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final last year but is yet to be given an extended run in the Fulham first team.

At City he would join up with Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad. But the teenager is confident he could eventually break into Manuel Pellegrini’s first team. City are keen to sign more young English players this summer – they have already made an official approach for Raheem Sterling – and Roberts would fit the profile of what they are looking for.

Liverpool have moved to sign 18-year-old defender Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic. Liverpool are ready to offer as much as £3.5million for the highly-rated England Under-19 international.

Southampton have started to strengthen their squad for next year’s Europa League campaign by moving for Juanmi from Malaga. Southampton have activated the €7milllion (£5m) release clause in his contract and have beaten rivals in England and Spain, including Real Sociedad, to his signature. Juanmi has recently made his debut for the Spanish senior team.