Blues academy youngster Ben Knight, viewed as the most promising prospect currently at Playford Road, is set to join Manchester City’s youth set-up in a deal we understand to be worth just over £1 million.
theAcademyBlog reported earlier this evening that Knight had signed for the Premier League side today, however, we understand that while the move is expected to go through, with the fee agreed and permission from the Premier League granted, it’s yet to be finalised.
England U15 and U16 international Knight (pictured above, front, second right), 16, who was due to start his two-year scholarship at Playford Road next month, is widely believed to have been who academy head of coaching and player development Bryan Klug referred to as "potentially the best player" he has worked with at the Supporters Club AGM last year.
Academy coach Kieron Dyer once compared the diminutive youngster’s style of play to that of Argentine star Lionel Messi.
Manchester City, where former Blues keeper Richard Wright and ex-U23s coach Mark Kennedy both now work, and all the top Premier League clubs as well as sides abroad have been eyeing Cambridgeshire-based Knight for some years and were reported to be planning to make a move back in November 2016.
Up until now, with Knight, who has been with Town since he was eight, having agreed a long-term deal, the Blues had been able to rebuff that interest.
We have our #PlayerOfTheTournament! The @Bulova watch goes to Ben Knight of @ITFC_Academy! Well deserved! pic.twitter.com/XfqJX5baaw– Galway Cup (@GalwayCup) August 6, 2016
Earlier that year, Town lost striker Charlie Brown to Chelsea for compensation of around £650,000.
At the time, former Blues manager Mick McCarthy admitted that it’s difficult for the likes of Town to hold on to youngsters if big Premier League clubs come in for them and the player wants to go.
"It’s always frustrating to lose them at whatever age,” he said. "At whatever stage they’re at you don’t want to lose them.
"It’s just one of those things, you can’t do anything about it. You have to just make the best deal you can.”
theAcademyBlog also reports that Arsenal are interested in another Town youngster, 15-year-old Canadian youngster Marcelo Flores, which we also understand is the case.
Flores, whose father Ruben is a coach at Playford Road, was spotted by veteran coach Steve Foley in 2014.