Man City 'battling it out with Man Utd for £15m midfield wonderkid Almada'

Manchester City are reviving their interest in highly-rated teenage midfielder Thiago Almada.

The 19-year-old wonderkid was the subject of interest from Pep Guardiola's side a year ago, but the club could not agree a deal with his parent club Velez Sarsfeld.

However, the Citizens are expected to face fierce competition to sign Almada, with rivals Manchester United tracking the young midfielder's situation.

But reports from the Sun say that the youngster is more open to a move to Guardiola's side, as City legend Carlos Tevez is believed to be Almada's idol.

While the Argentinian striker also played for City's local rivals at Old Trafford during his playing days, sources say that it is Tevez's time at Manchester City, where he won the 2011-12 Premier League title as well as the 2011 FA Cup, that had the most impact on Almada.

Velez Sarsfeld are believed to value the 19-year-old at around £15million plus add-ons.

Since breaking into the Argentinian Primera Division's first-team in 2018, Almada has made 33 appearances for El Fortin, scoring six goals.

The youngster has also been capped seven times for Argentina's under-20 squad.

The midfielder, who can play centrally but also out on the wing, has been likened to David Silva, with the 34-year-old Spaniard set to leave Manchester City at some point this year.

Almada's arrival would provide Guardiola with a long-term successor, with the Argentinian acting as competition for England youth international Phil Foden for a starting spot in the City first-team.

City's transfer plans, however, are set to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the resumption of the 2019-20 Premier League season likely to clash with the opening of the summer transfer window at the start of June.