City Chasing Italian Starlet

Manchester City are reportedly in pole position to sign AC Milan’s highly-rated teenage right-back Raoul Bellanova on a free transfer next summer.

The 18-year-old is considered one of the best young talents in Italy and it would be a huge coup for the Citizens to land the youngster, who has so far refused to sign a new deal at the San Siro.

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Bellanova is already an Italy Under-20 international and Milan’s bosses are believed to be unimpressed with his camp seemingly trying to force a move away.

City have spent the last 18 months recruiting top young talent from abroad, landing France midfield starlet Claudio Gomes from Paris Saint-Germain, earlier this year, in a similar set of circumstances.

Barcelona have also made representations to Bellanova’s handlers but it is understood City already have an agreement in principle and are prepared to fast-track him as Kyle Walker’s eventual successor, such is the potential he holds already.

It’s likely the Manchester giants would still have to hand over a tribunal development fee to Milan for a player tipped to be a future cornerstone for his country.