City may have reached a turning point in their transfer policy. When Sheik Moneybags first arrived City clearly aimed to buy up the best players around and build a strong first team as quick as possible.
Now, like Chelsea before them, they’re looking to snap up the world’s best youth, before they get too expensive. Which leads us to 15 Year old forward Jose Angel Pozo. Pozo is Real Madrid’s youth team captain and has been with the club since he was 11. One of Spain’s hottest prospects, Pozo is set to sign a 5-year deal with Man City.
The Daily Mail is reporting a fee of £3.5 million has been agreed between the clubs, but that the signing will have to wait till March, when the striker turns 16. However The Mirror is instead claiming the fee could be as low as £400,000, whilst The Daily Star claims £5 million. As with many youth transfers much of the fee will depend on future performances.
What is clearer is that whatever the price, Vieira and the scouting team will be pleased with themselves. Pozo also had the option of joining Arsenal, Liverpool, or Chelsea, but City clearly did enough to convince him he would get a chance in Manchester. Other big clubs should be worrying that now City can not only gazump them for big name stars, and also snatch away talent youngsters as well.
It is though Vieira spearheaded this deal, and it may be the first of many whizzkids joining, as Man City seek to invest in the future and balance their books in time for UEFA’s new regulations.
