Borussia Dortmund are one of several clubs reportedly interested in signing Manchester City youngster Shea Charles.
Having joined City at under-9s level, Charles has worked his way up through the youth ranks to the Elite Development Squad.
This season the 19-year-old midfielder has made 20 appearances in the Premier League 2, as well as seven in the UEFA Youth League and three in the EFL Trophy.
Pep Guardiola has clearly been pleased with Charles’ development, as he has included the youngster in first-team training and in matchday squads on a number of occasions.
Charles is a central midfielder with excellent passing range, but he is also versatile; just before Christmas he started at centre-back in City’s 2-0 friendly win against Girona, and he can also play at full-back.
Having already captained Northern Ireland at youth level, Charles’ stock rose further when he made his senior international debut in June last year.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Borussia Dortmund are “keeping an eye on him,” as other clubs also show interest.
What has Charles said?
As relayed by RTE, Charles is reluctant to make any rash decisions about his future so is staying focused on the current season.
“I’m just going to see out the season and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
“I’d love to stay at City, that’s obviously the main target, but you never know. It’ll be difficult [to get in the side] but I’m confident in my own abilities.”
City and Dortmund have a good relationship, and Charles would not be the first young player to leave City in search of first-team minutes.
In recent seasons Jayden Braaf, Rabbi Matondo, Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larrios and Sam Edozie have all left, while Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens joined Dortmund.
While there is a clear pathway for Charles to follow away from the Etihad Stadium, he is mindful of what he can learn in his current environment.
“It’s more with the likes of Fernandinho before he left, Rodri now, Kalvin Phillips as well now, because they play in my position,” Charles said when asked what it’s like training with such high quality players.
“Watching them, learning, asking questions, that’s the main thing. The reading of the game – game intelligence and a good range of passing is really important.”
