Manchester City have officially agreed a deal with Argentine club Estudiantes for the transfer of highly rated teenager Dario Sarmiento. City will pay Estudiantes a fee of around £5m plus add-ons for the winger, who will officially join them on July 1.
Sarmiento was Estudiantes’ second youngest-ever player when he made his first team debut for them at the age of just 16 against Huracan in 2019. The teenager has often been likened to Lionel Messi, and Alejandro Sabella, who coached the national side at the 2014 World Cup, called Sarmiento a “star in the making” and even bowed in front of him.
The news of Sarmiento’s signing follows that of Brazilian wonderkid Kayky, who City signed for £9m a week ago, but will stay at his current club Fluminense till the end of the 2021 season. Like Sarmiento with Messi, Kayky has also drawn comparisons with compatriot Neymar Jr.
Sarmiento has been capped by Argentina at various youth levels. Given his tender age and potential issues in acquiring a work permit, he is likely to be initially sent out to gain first team experience at one of City’s sister clubs in the City Football Group, rather than with the Citzens themselves.
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