<
>

Manchester City near deal for Swiss teen Lorenzo Gonzalez - source

Manchester City have won the race to signing in-demand Swiss starlet Lorenzo Gonzalez, a source close to the club has told ESPN FC.

Servette striker Gonzalez, 16, is regarded as one of the hottest properties in Europe after catching the eye for club and country.

The likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have shown an interest in Gonzalez, but City have moved quickly to lure the prolific forward to the Etihad Stadium.

City are keen to bring the best young talents in the world to the club and they see Gonzalez as a potential first-team star of the future.

City have invested big money into their academy set-up with ambitions of producing their own first-team players, having launched the City Football Academy at a cost of around £200 million in December 2014.

Gonzalez turned 16 last month and a source has told ESPN FC that the teenager is already in England as he prepares for next season at City.