Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Estudiantes winger Dario Sarmiento, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian reporter claims the Citizens are in “advanced” talks to sign the 17-year-old, with a fee in the region of €19m (£17m) being discussed ahead of the transfer going ahead next summer:

Manchester City are in advanced negotiations to sign Darío Ariel Sarmiento, 17 years old from Estudiantes.
The opening bid is around €19m [add ons included!]. If the agreement will be reached, he’d arrive on June 2021 to plan about his future with ‘City group’ ?? #mcfc @CLMerlo

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 30, 2020

Sarmiento has been labelled as the “next Lionel Messi” by some in the media but that is a big claim to make considering he has only made 11 senior appearances in his career so far.

The teenager has excelled at youth level, impressing a number of former Argentinian players and managers who very much believe he is the next big star to come out of the South American country.

It appears City certainly believe Sarmiento has the potential to go on and make it at the highest level, but we shall have to wait and see whether the move is finalised.