According to The Athletic, Leeds United youngster Finley Gorman has agreed terms to join Manchester City, with the compensation fee set to be a record-breaking seven-figure sum.
With a viral video circulating of his goals and skills for the youth set-up, the 15-year-old youngster has already made a lot of noise out of Thorpe Arch. This season, the 2008-born winger has been a regular for Leeds’ U18s and has also represented England at U16 level, making his debut at the age of 14.
Shortly after, at 14 years and 326 days, the young man broke the record for the youngest player to score a brace in an U18s Premier League match. The Yorkshire Evening Post first reported that the Champions League winners had made contact about a possible deal for the player.
According to The Athletic, this initial interest has turned into an almost-confirmed deal that will break the British transfer record for a player of Gorman’s age, which was previously held by Fran Merida to Arsenal for £2.2 million and the infamous Jermaine Pennant prior to that.
Leeds are unable to offer a professional deal to prevent the player from leaving for the Etihad because of his age, and the player will remain ineligible until his 17th birthday in September 2025. As a result, the academy starlet appears to be on his way to Man City’s ever-improving academy system, which has produced the likes of Phil Foden, Kieran Tripper, and, most recently, Cole Palmer.
Author’s Opinion
Leeds fans and the club will be disappointed that the youngster was not persuaded to follow in the footsteps of Archie Gray, who came through at Thorpe Arch, as the club has a long history of producing first-team players from the academy set-up.
Fortunately, the club is set to receive a large sum of money for Gorman, and if his career follows in the footsteps of previous record-breakers, Leeds may have done well to cash in early.
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