Two major Premier League clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United, are reportedly in a fierce battle to sign two wonderkids from Swansea City. Man United and Man City are planning to recruit these young Swansea players in 2025.
The English media outlet, The Mirror, reported last weekend that Man United and City are interested in Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham, who are both currently regarded as talented prospects in Wales.
Perry is only 16 years old and plays as a central midfielder. He is already a key player for the Wales U-17 national team. Meanwhile, Popham is a defender, aged 17, and regularly represents the Wales U-18 national team.
The agents of Perry and Popham have started seeking bigger clubs than Swansea. The agent has already held meetings with United and City to discuss a potential move in 2025.
Both players could be acquired by United and City at a relatively low cost in 2025, as Popham and Perry currently only hold scholarship status at Swansea.
Both clubs need to move quickly to present a proposal that satisfies the agents of Perry and Popham; it would be risky if Swansea manages to offer a professional contract first, which would require a higher transfer fee.
Manchester City and Manchester United promote many academy players
Man City and Man United pay significant attention to their academy teams. They are willing to spend a lot to recruit talented prospects who will be developed in the academy before being promoted to the first team.
At MUanchester United, in recent seasons, two young academy players have been promoted to the first team and achieved great success, such as winger Alejandro Garnacho and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
City's commitment to developing young players
City routinely promotes academy players to the first team. There are Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and the latest being James McAtee as examples. City's academy also produced Cole Palmer, who has achieved significant success after being signed by Chelsea.
Manchester City will now hope that the wonderkids trained in their academy can quickly shine and break into the first team. They face the prospect of not being able to make large expenditures, so they will rely on young players developed by the academy.