Manchester City have finalised a deal to sign one of Everton’s academy products after fending off competition from two English clubs.
The Premier League champions want to add the best young talents to their academy as a new long-term strategy is implemented at The Etihad.
And now the Citizens have moved to land one of Everton’s brightest young talents.
Manchester City finalise deal for Jayden Lienou
According to The Guardian’s transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, City have signed all the documents to bring the 2008-born left back into their academy.
Romano wrote to X: “EXCL: Manchester City have signed all documents to bring in Jayden Lienou as left back for the academy.
“The 2008-born fullback joins from Everton as part of a long-term strategy to sign the best talents, beating two more top English clubs to the signing. Lienou, new #MCFC player.”
What has Sean Dyche said about Everton’s youngsters?
This could be a concern. Lienou has been poached before he can show his full potential at Goodison Park. Circumstances such as these could explain why so few players have broken into the first team in recent years.
The Premier League’s elite are looking to clear out their rivals’ academies before players can even be considered for first-team football.
Speaking recently on Everton’s academy, Sean Dyche admitted no players are ready to step into his first-team squad.
“If there was an 18-year-old here who I thought was good enough to play in the first team, he would be playing,” Dyche told The Liverpool Echo.
“There is no one I have seen so far who is ready to jump in there. That is it at the moment. Dobbo is doing a good job, learning as he goes.
“It is slightly different with Jarrad because he was brought in later [Branthwaite signed for Everton at the age of 18] but still at a young age. But there is no one I have looked at and thought: ‘You are ready to jump in.'”
Jarrad Branthwaite’s progression is reason to be optimistic. The 21-year-old received his first England call-up last week and has been a standout performer. Signing the youngster from Carlisle was a masterstroke, and it’s perhaps a route Everton can explore more often if their top talents are continually poached from those above.