Exclusive: Man City Beat Liverpool to Darren Motsi Signing | OneFootball

Man City have beaten Liverpool to the signing of highly rated Leicester City attacker Darren Motsi.

Attacking Football sources understand that City have won the race for the 16-year-old, despite Liverpool previously believing they were in pole position to secure his signature.

Liverpool had felt they had stolen a march on their rivals and it was previously believed that Motsi had chosen to move to Merseyside.

However, Man City subsequently presented the youngster with an opportunity he feels is better suited to his long-term development. City’s plans for the player proved decisive, with Motsi now set to continue his career at their academy.

The agreement represents another major academy coup for City, who are reshaping their youth ranks ahead of the new season.

Liverpool believed Motsi had chosen them

Liverpool had been confident that one of the country’s most highly rated young attackers would join their academy.

The Merseyside club had made strong progress during negotiations and believed Motsi was ready to commit to them, placing Liverpool ahead of City in the race for his signature.

City refused to walk away from the pursuit, however, and made a convincing late push. The pathway and development plan offered to Motsi ultimately changed the direction of the deal.

The youngster believes City now represent the strongest environment for the next stage of his career. With Karim Cassim and David Eze both leaving their is space in the academy squads to progress more easily.

Missing out will be a significant disappointment for Liverpool, particularly after the club had believed an agreement was close.

Motsi arrives as David Eze replacement

Motsi has been identified as a replacement for David Eze, who has left Manchester City to join local rivals Manchester United.

Attacking Football previously revealed that United had completed the signing of Eze.

City are also set to lose Karim Cassim to United, with Attacking Football reporting that the midfielder’s move to Carrington has been completed.

Although Motsi has a more attack-minded profile than Eze and Cassim, his arrival ensures City are bringing another outstanding player of the same generation into their academy.

The moves suggest that City were long prepared to accept the departures of Eze and Cassim while refreshing their youth setup with some of the most sought-after prospects available.

City also secure Mishel Nduka

Motsi is not the only major academy addition being made by Man City.

City have also agreed a deal to sign highly rated midfielder Mishel Nduka from Arsenal after the 16-year-old rejected the opportunity to remain in north London.

Nduka is expected to join City on scholarship terms before becoming eligible to sign a professional contract. Arsenal had offered the youngster a competitive long-term pathway, but he decided that a move to Manchester was the better option for his development.

The additions of Motsi and Nduka underline City’s determination to remain aggressive in the academy recruitment market, even while losing Eze and Cassim to their closest local rivals.

Rather than attempt to prevent every departure, City appear prepared to allow players to move on while recruiting replacements from other leading academies.

Who is Darren Motsi?

Motsi is a left-footed attacker who is capable of operating from the right wing or centrally as a number 10.

The England youth international is of Zimbabwean heritage and has been regarded as one of Leicester City’s brightest academy prospects. Leicester are resigned to losing many academy prospects this summer due to their relegation and have made good money in selling Jeremy Monga and potentially Ben Nelson, too.

Despite playing above his natural age group, Motsi featured regularly for Leicester’s under-21 side and recorded goal contributions in Premier League 2. He also gained experience in the Under-18 Premier League while he was only 15.

His ability to receive possession between the lines, move inside from the right and create opportunities with his stronger left foot has attracted interest from some of England’s biggest clubs.

Motsi’s versatility also allows him to influence matches from several attacking positions, making him an especially valuable prospect for an academy focused on developing technically gifted and tactically flexible players.

Recognised by England

Motsi’s progress has also been recognised at international level.

Leicester City confirmed that he was selected for England’s under-16 squad for a three-match tournament in Florida, having already represented the country on seven occasions at that level.

The Young Lions faced the United States, Argentina and Mexico during the trip.

Leicester City’s official announcement can be read here.

His international recognition, combined with his experience against older academy opposition, has established Motsi as one of the standout English talents in his age group.

Major academy victory for Man City

City’s capture of Motsi represents a considerable recruitment victory against rivals Liverpool.

Liverpool believed they had positioned themselves at the front of the queue, but City’s development proposal convinced the player to change course.

With Motsi and Nduka arriving while Eze and Cassim head for Manchester United, Man City’s academy is undergoing a notable reshuffle.

The club may be losing two important midfield prospects, but it has responded by securing two of the most highly rated young players available from Leicester and Arsenal.