Manchester City have done well on the transfer front this summer, signing a number of top talents for the first team and for the academy.
A month ago, it was reported that Man City were closing in on the signing of Kaylen Moss, a midfielder in Liverpool’s academy.
It was also reported that Tottenham’s Dexter Oliver was in the picture to move to City, while Aston Villa’s Freddie Lawrie is said to have joined City.
However, there will always be those who slip through the net, and one such player is said to be close to staying at his current club.
Seth Ridgeon expected to sign Fulham contract
The player in question is Seth Ridgeon, who plays for Fulham’s academy and is a star for England’s Under-17s.
The Secret Scout previously reported that Man City and Liverpool are monitoring Ridgeon’s situation, with his contract expiring this summer.
More recently, Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian reported that Man United and Chelsea had joined the race for Ridgeon.
However, Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports has now claimed that Fulham are close to agreeing a new contract with Ridgeon.
He has been of interest to most of the Premier League’s top clubs, but Fulham look set to win the race for his next signature, claimed Thomas.
“The west London club have a track record of providing a pathway for academy stars into the first team,” Thomas wrote on Sky Sports.
“Fulham have produced the likes of Ryan Sessegnon, Harvey Elliot and Fabio Carvalho in recent years.
“Another promising youngster, Josh King, also signed a new Fulham contract this week.”
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| U18 Premier League | 7 | 2 | 4 | 605′ |
| Premier League 2 | 5 | 3 | – | 391′ |
| PL2 Playoffs | 2 | – | – | 90′ |
| FA Youth Cup | 2 | 1 | – | 179′ |
| Total 24/25: | 16 | 6 | 4 | 1.265′ |
Ridgeon is a 16-year-old attacking midfielder who transfer insider Graeme Bailey has described as Fulham’s “crown jewel”.
Fulham fans recently complained about the prospect of losing Ridgeon, but it looks as though their wishes will be answered.
How Manchester City’s academy fared last season
Although City will be disappointed to have all-but missed out on Ridgeon, there will be other top talents they can sign, along with the talent already in their ranks.
Man City’s Under-21s won the Premier League 2 title last season, the first team to do so for a fourth time in the competition’s history.
Meanwhile, the Under-18s won the U18 Premier League North title, setting a number of records along the way.
Oliver Reiss’ side set a new record for the successive number of league wins (21) and a new league points tally (65).
In addition, academy graduates Nico O’Reilly, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Kaden Braithwaite, Jacob Wright and Divin Mubama all featured in various competitions for the first-team.
Academy director Thomas Kruecken said he is “especially” proud of O’Reilly for making his breakthrough in the first-team and making 21 outings last term.
