Manchester City is reportedly nearing a deal to sign Sverre Nypan, a highly-rated teenage prospect in European football, potentially beating out rivals like Arsenal.
The 18-year-old midfielder was previously linked with Arsenal in January. Later, Aston Villa also emerged as a potential suitor for the Rosenborg player.
However, it now appears Nypan is set for the Etihad Stadium, marking another significant acquisition for Manchester City, who have been very busy this transfer window.
Reports suggest City are nearing an agreement for Nypan. This potential transfer is anticipated to break the record for a player leaving Norway`s top division, the Eliteserien.
While personal terms are still being finalised, the expectation is that the 18-year-old will complete the transfer and then immediately be loaned out for a season to aid his development. Possible loan destinations include clubs within the City Football Group network, such as Girona, Palermo, or Troyes in Europe, or potentially New York City FC in MLS.
Nypan has already made 70 senior appearances for Rosenborg. He is typically seen as a central midfielder rather than an attacking one. Although comparisons to Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard are natural due to their shared nationality, Nypan is viewed more as a versatile all-around midfielder, contrasting with Ødegaard`s primary strength in attack.
In those appearances, he has contributed with 14 goals and 11 assists.
This potential deal follows what the article describes as City`s confirmed signings of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, made perhaps with Kevin De Bruyne`s anticipated departure in mind. Reijnders, in particular, is presented as potentially improving the box-to-box midfield alongside January signing Nico González. Nypan, conversely, is expected to be allowed time to develop before joining Pep Guardiola`s senior squad.
The article suggests that all four mentioned summer signings – Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, and former Wolves defender Rayan Aït-Nouri – are expected to feature in the Club World Cup.
