Manchester City were runaway winners of the Premier League this season, and they have already started to look to the future, with reports suggesting that they are interested in signing Charlton Athletic youngster Jeremy Sarmiento.
Sarmiento is capable of playing either as a winger, or as a number 10, and this has attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in world football.
The England U16 international is just 15-years-old, but he has already represented Charlton Athletic’s Under 23 side, showing the capabilities that he has at such a young age.
Despite interest from Premier League clubs, the Addicks are desperate to keep hold of their prize possession, and have reportedly offered him a five year deal in an attempt to warn off any interested clubs.
According to the Sun, Sarmiento, who will also be eligible for the Ecuador national team, has been valued at £6 million by the South London club. However, because of his age, if Manchester City do attempt to pursue a deal for him, the price is to be set by the Football League tribunal, with the Addicks expecting to break the record for the highest fee ever received for a schoolboy.
Jeremy Sarmiento is extremely highly rated at Charlton, and academy manager Steve Avory spoke to the official club website about the youngster earlier this year.
As quoted by the Sun, he said: “I certainly feel Jeremy is an exciting player, who I would describe as a wide forward, rather than a winger.
“He likes to play out on that right-hand side but loves to come in off the line and get into little pockets of space, which is what we encourage in our system of play. He can also play the No 10 role. He is excellent at his age at manipulating the ball in tight areas, can go past players, which is very exciting, he can do that at pace and is a goalscorer.”
