Chelsea talent leaves club; set to join Manchester City: Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea youngster Ryan McAidoo has decided to leave the club and move to Manchester City in a major academy coup for the English champions. The Cityzens have completed the signing of the youngster, beating several other Premier League sides to his signature.
The arrival of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Group coincided with the massive recruitment of young talents at Stamford Bridge. The Blues recently signed 17-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian reportedly for €57 million, having signed Kendry Paez at just 16 years old months earlier.
The knockdown effect of the Blues' spending on exotic youngsters is that their academy players are beginning to seek moves away over a lack of a clear pathway. Highly rated youngster Tudor Mendel-Idowu left the club for Anderlecht last summer over the same issue, and they have lost another academy gem.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that 16-year-old forward Ryan McAidoo has left Chelsea for Manchester City, where he will continue to feature in the academy. The teenager appeared for the Blues' U-16s and U-18s in 2023-24 and played for the English U-17 team, as well.
Manchester City were not the only side interested in the versatile forward, who can play in several attacking positions. Arsenal and Liverpool were rumored to be close to signing the youngster, but he has prioritized a move to the Premier League champions.
Highly-rated teenager McAidoo was valued by Chelsea, who made efforts to keep him at Stamford Bridge without success. The Blues may struggle in the coming months to keep their finest academy talents because of the lack of a clear pathway to the first team.
Manchester City register interest in Chelsea-linked youngster - Reports
Manchester City have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Leeds United youngster Archie Gray this summer, as per TEAMTalk. The teenage midfielder has several clubs on queue looking to sign him to their squads this summer.
Gray emerged as one of the finest young players in English football in the 2023-24 season, appearing 52 times across all competitions for Leeds United. The 18-year-old midfielder was in his first season of professional football but performed at a very high level, helping his side reach the playoff final.
Chelsea's interest in the young midfielder was made public in recent days, with his pursuit in keeping with their targeting of young players. The likes of Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have now joined the race, and the England U-21 international could be on the move this summer.