City 'hoping to beat Utd to Norwegian youngster Hakon Evjen in January window'

Manchester City will look to sign Norwegian youngster Hakon Evjen during the January transfer window, according to reports.

Evjen, 19, currently plays as a central midfielder for FK Bodo/Glimt in Norway and has generated interest across Europe with his recent performances.

Manchester United have also been heavily linked with a move for the teenager, but The Mail claims that City are hoping to beat their local rivals to his signature when the transfer window re-opens in the winter.

According to the publication, Evjen's displays have also caught the eye of Anderlecht and AZ Alkmaar, as well as a number of clubs from Italy and Germany.

Currently a member of Norway's Under-20 side, the midfielder has also represented his country at U17 and U18 level.

He also played in all three of Norway's matches at the U-20 World Cup in Poland this summer.

He has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 19 appearances this season in Norway's top tier, the Eliteserien, in which Bodo/Glimt are currently second.

United and City's interest in Evjen seems to be well-known, with his club previously claiming that both Manchester clubs sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old in their game against Stromsgodset on August 5.

That game saw the teenager score twice to help his side to a 3-1 away victory.

After that match, Evjen was questioned about whether he was aware scouts had come to see him by TV2, and he responded: "No, but for me it doesn't matter. It's obviously fun, but I try not think about it too much.

"If you want to hear something, you can chat with my agent. I don't know, we'll see. Nothing has come yet, but I have always been a United boy.

"Of course, City is one of the world's best football teams. A choice is difficult."