Manchester City ‘went all out to try to sign 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal from Barcelona’ during the summer transfer window… before he started the season in sublime form

• Man City reportedly went ‘all out’ to try to sign Lamine Yamal this summer
• The 16-year-old is making headlines as one of the most exciting young prospects 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Lamine Yamal is making headlines as one of the most exciting young talents in world football right now and could have joined Manchester City this summer, with Pep Guardiola’s side reportedly having pushed hard to acquire the 16-year-old. 

The Barcelona academy graduate made his debut last season at the mere age of 15, coming on as a substitute during their 4-0 victory against Real Betis in April. 

He made the headlines again this campaign, becoming the youngest player to start a LaLiga match this century during Barca’s victory against Cadiz. 

Since then he’s asserted himself as a regular face in Xavi’s squad, with the right-winger appearing in all four of his side’s opening LaLiga fixtures notably returning two assists during their 4-3 win against Villarreal at the end of August. 

Yamal has attracted plaudits from many within the footballing world, with some claiming he is the club’s best talent since Lionel Messi, and that has attracted the attention of many clubs around Europe, with Man City having gone ‘all out’ to try to sign him, according to Radio Marca. 

Man City went ‘all out’ to try to sign 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal (pictured) from Barcelona this summer

Pep Guardiola’s (pictured) side ‘came with everything’ to sign the young star, but failed to land their man 

The Barcelona academy graduate made his debut last season at the mere age of 15 , coming on as a substitute during their 4-0 victory against Real Betis in April

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According to Marca journalist David Sanchez, ‘Real Madrid were not close to signing Yamal from Barca. The team that came with everything for the Barcelona youth player was Man City.’

Those claims were also reportedly acknowledged by president Joan Laporta’s advisor Enric Masip, who added that there was a big chance Yamal could have left the club this summer. 

‘Yamal and Alejandro Balde have been in a serious situation to leave this summer because there is a club that tried to ‘catch them’, Masip said, according to Radio Marca, when pressed on the rumours Yamal could have departed the club. 

It comes as Man City may be looking to strengthen their winger stocks after selling both Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer this summer. 

Yamal (pictured) is one of the most impressive young prospects in world football right now, notably scoring on his senior debut for Spain last week in their 7-1 win vs Georgia

Yamal (middle) has played in all four of Barcelona’s opening league games this season, making history becoming the youngest player to start a LaLiga match this century

Yamal again impressed for his national side last week, scoring on his senior debut for Spain to make history once again, becoming the youngest player to score for La Roja during their 7-1 win against Georgia. 

Barcelona realise that they have a huge talent on their hands, and according to football director Deco, are planning to lock both of their young stars, Yamal and Balde, down on long-term deals.  

Speaking on contract talks, Deco said: ‘They are underway, the club’s plan is to keep them. Surely, we are going to renew them. Lamine Yamal will sign until 2026 because, being only 16 years old, he cannot sign a longer bond. And Balde, in principle, will do so until 2028.

Speaking on Yamal, Deco added: ‘He is a player who has surprised us. He has his feet on the ground. He has a different quality. 

‘Today we are going through an important situation for the club. There are many young protagonists. He is 16 years old and we have to let him have fun. The coach will know how to treat him and may its growth be continuous.’

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