Leroy Sané's time at Manchester City appears to be coming to an end. Pep Guardiola has confirmed the German has refused multiple offers of a new contract and has his heart set on leaving - likely for Bayern Munich.
With money a little tight these days, spending big on a replacement for Sané is not high on Guardiola's list of priorities, especially while City's defence needs major improvements, so he may be forced to turn to the academy for help.
If Guardiola does want a fresh face to replace Sané, here are seven youngsters who should be towards the front of the queue.
1. Luke Bolton
Like Phil Foden, 20-year-old Luke Bolton is another exciting youngster who hails from Stockport, and he has already flirted with Guardiola's senior squad in the past.
He was on the bench for the Carabao Cup semi-final against Burton Albion last season and was even named in City's Champions League squad that year, although that was mainly to make up the homegrown numbers.
This season, Bolton has been out on loan with Luton Town, who have used the youngster as a right-back because of his pace and power. However, he is trained as a winger and likely sees his future in that position.
2. Adrián Bernabé
City lured Spaniard Adrián Bernabé away from Barcelona in 2018 and have regularly involved him with the senior side. He is a frequent part of first-team training and already has four senior appearances to his name.
Bernabé does his best work in a central position but is more than comfortable out wide. Known for his vision and creativity, the 19-year-old loves racking up both goals and assists.
Guardiola already knows him well, and Bernabé is expected to make the jump up to full-time senior player soon enough.
3. Morgan Rogers
One of the most highly rated English youngsters around, Morgan Rogers was lured away from West Brom after making his senior debut for the Baggies as a 16-year-old.
City have high hopes for Rogers, having paid £4m for his services, and it's not hard to see why. Compared to Dele Alli because of his tall, yet deceptively agile physique, Rogers is comfortable anywhere across the front line and can both score and create goals.
A regular star at youth level for England, Rogers has been tipped for superstardom by many who have watched him.
4. Jayden Braaf
Take a bow, Jayden Braaf! ???
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 31, 2020
? #ManCity pic.twitter.com/sZpUjPSzOp
Perhaps the most exciting youngster at the club, Dutch winger Jayden Braaf is rated highly by everyone at City. A club official even told The Athletic that they believe he is the best young winger in the world and could soon be worth £80m.
It's not that an outlandish opinion to hold as Braaf has regularly produced outstanding performances in City's academy, so much so that there have already been calls for a permanent promotion to the senior side.
Those calls have been so strong that they appear to have got through to Braaf, with rumours coming from his own family suggesting that they could look to move to Germany in search of first-team action.
City won't be worried. It's not like they've lost a promising young winger to a German side before...
5. Ben Knight
A £1m signing from Ipswich Town in 2019, winger Ben Knight has generated a lot of hype among English scouts.
Knight scored goals for fun during his debut campaign, earning himself a call-up to Guardiola's pre-season squad last summer. Things have slowed down a bit this year, but he is still expected to do big things.
A move to the Under-23 squad is the most likely option, but don't be surprised to see Knight make a senior matchday squad or two next year.
6. Oscar Bobb
Norwegian starlet Oscar Bobb will turn 17 in August, so it's probably a little early for him to be moved straight up to the senior set-up, but he will present Guardiola with an intriguing option if needed.
Comfortable on either wing, Bobb is full of both goals and assists, bagging three goals in his first three outings for the Under-18s.
Porto broke the rules to try and sign Bobb when he was just ten years old, which tells you how long scouts have been impressed by him.
7. Samuel Edozie
Another player involved in City's youth spending spree, former Millwall youngster Samuel Edozie was wanted by Chelsea but opted for a switch to the Etihad Stadium instead.
Another versatile winger, Edozie is a pacy, tricky nightmare for defenders. He's never afraid to try to beat his man and usually has the skill to pull it off.
At just 17 years old, he probably has a little while to wait before he makes it to the senior side, but if Guardiola wants some energy and drive in attack, he could do a lot worse than turn to Edozie.
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Source : 90min