Manchester City have agreed to sign Finley Gorman from Leeds United in a deal that could break the British transfer record for a 15-year-old, sources have confirmed to Betwizad.
The attacking midfielder is one of England’s most highly-rated teenagers. He scored twice as a 14-year-old during a Premier League Under-18 match – smashing the age record for such a feat – and is already capped at England Under-16 level.
Betwizad understands that Gorman is set to continue his development at Man City, who have agreed an initial £1.5m fee with Leeds for his services. Add-ons are expected take the deal past the £2m mark and break the British transfer record for a 15-year-old currently set by Liverpool, who ended up paying £2m to Queens Park Rangers for Raheem Sterling after triggering several clauses in their initial £450,000 agreement.
As Gorman is not on a professional contract – and is not able to sign one until September 2025 upon turning 17 – Leeds were unable to stop Man City from approaching him, and he has agreed to join the reigning Premier League champions.
Man City made two notable young signings during the summer, bringing in 16-year-old goalkeeper Spike Brits from AFC Wimbledon and 19-year-old defender Jamal Baptiste from West Ham United.
The highest transfer fee ever paid for a 15-year-old remains the £2.7m paid by Arsenal to Barcelona for Fran Merida back in 2005. He went on to play just 16 times for the Gunners’ senior team and has played for eight clubs upon leaving north London, currently plying his trade in China with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger.
