West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign a highly-rated Manchester City youngster on a permanent deal.
That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has reported that Carlos Borges is close to joining the Hammers.
In recent years City’s academy has established itself as one of the best in the world, reflected by the quality of players who have graduated.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis have established themselves in Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, but countless others have left the club either on loan or for fairly sizeable fees.
Last summer City sold Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie and Juan Larios to Southampton for a combined £42m, despite the quadruple making just three senior City appearances between them.
This summer City have again made the most of their academy talents, selling Shea Charles to Southampton for a fee that could rise to £15m.
Young goalkeeper James Trafford is expected to join Burnley in a £19m deal.
Now, City appear to have wrapped up another sale.
Carlos Borges to join West Ham
According to Fabrizio Romano, City and West Ham have reached a verbal agreement over the £14m sale of Carlos Borges.
The 19-year-old Portuguese winger has seriously impressed for City’s EDS side, scoring 24 goals and providing 15 assists in all competitions last term.
After scoring four goals in a 6-1 win against Manchester United last season, City EDS boss Brian Barry-Murphy lauded Borges as “exceptional.”
As reported by Romano, City will insert a buy-back clause into the deal, should they wish to bring Borges back to the Etihad Stadium in years to come.
West Ham have been monitoring Borges for some time, and have beaten Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Eintracht Frankfurt in the race to sign him.
It was West Ham head of recruitment Rob Newman who brought an 11-year-old Borges to City when he worked for the club.
