Manchester City are now favourites to sign Ecuadorian Under 20 international Jose Cifuentes, according to reports.

The midfielder recently revealed that he was weighing up offers from both the Citizens and Scottish champions Celtic:

“My aim is to play in Europe. I don’t know which club I will sign for yet – either Manchester City or Celtic. Nothing has been decided yet.”

“I deserve my opportunity to play in Europe, it’s where I have to be. And my mentality is that I am going to be in Europe for a long time.”

However, it appears Cifuentes has now made up his mind and he is expected to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.

The holding midfielder currently plays for America de Quito in his homeland but his performances for Ecuador at this summer’s U20 World Cup gained him wider attention.

Cifuentes’s side made it all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament in Poland, before losing out to South Korea. They did, though, pick up the bronze medal after beating Italy in the third-place playoff.

The 20-year-old is unlikely to stay at City for long if he does sign on the dotted line. It is believed he will be loaned out ahead of next season so he can get regular game time.