Both Manchester clubs locked in battle for sought-after Benfica prospect
Manchester City are hopeful of beating rivals Manchester United to the signing of highly-rated Benfica teenager Ronaldo Camara, according to reports.
The 16-year-old attacking midfielder, who has been scouted by the Old Trafford club and Spanish giants Barcelona, is considered to be one of European football’s most exciting prospects.
However, the Evening Standard believes that City have joined the list of clubs following his progress.
Pep Guardiola’s side are hopeful that their lauded youth set-up can help them convince the Portugal Under-17 international to move to the Etihad.
United wanted to seal a deal for Camara in January, but City are now considered one of the favourites to add the player to a youth team that already boast talents like Claudio Gomes, Eric Garcia and Douglas Luiz.
The City academy also brought through Brahim Diaz, who was sold to Real Madrid in January for a deal worth up to £22m having made just 15 senior appearances for the club.
Camara is yet to make a senior appearance for Benfica but has featured five times for the Under-19 side, scoring one goal in the UEFA Youth League this season.
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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.