Leeds United Close In On Multi-Million Signing Of Manchester City Midfielder

While the incomings of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, and now potentially Kalvin Phillips have grabbed the headlines, the outgoings from the Etihad Stadium could well do the same.

For starters, it was revealed on Friday evening that Arsenal had reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Gabriel Jesus for an initial fee of £45 million.

Additionally, a recent report also suggested that Raheem Sterling and Thomas Tuchel have held ‘positive talks’ amid Chelsea’s interest in prising away the 27-year old in the ongoing summer.

It was also earlier mentioned that Pep Guardiola’s side are prepared to let Oleksandr Zinchenko leave the club, with Brighton's Marc Cucurella touted as the reliable left-back’s replacement— a decision that was made back in May this year.

Marc Cucurella in action for Brighton.

While three players of the highest calibre could be set for the exit door, it has now been claimed that among other Manchester City academy stars, midfielder Darko Gyabi is set to join this list.

Gyabi joined the club at 14 years of age, as Manchester City beat the likes of Arsenal and Wolves to secure his signature.

New details have emerged that reveal that Manchester City’s prodigious youth product’s move to a fellow Premier League club side is imminent.

As per information provided by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Darko Gyabi could be set for a permanent switch to Leeds United this summer for a fee of £5 million, in a deal that is being discussed separately to that of Kalvin Phillips’ pending move to Manchester City.

Darko Gyabi in action for Manchester City's academy. PA Images / Alamy

While it was earlier reported that Romeo Lavia could be headed to Elland Road, it seems as if Jesse Marsch’s side have instead decided to recruit Gyabi after Marc Roca from Bayern Munich as their strategy to deal with the absence of the talismanic Phillips from the middle of the park.

While the 18 year-old remains a relatively unknown commodity to many around the game, it is clear to see how highly-rated his talent is.

The England Under-17 first caught the eye during the 2020/21 season, scoring an impressive eight goals from midfield as Manchester City’s Under-18 strolled their way to a Premier League title triumph.

The prodigious youngster’s talent made such an impression that he was instantly promoted to the Elite Development Squad in the following term, where he made 11 appearances as the side once again went on to become champions.

Ultimately, this is a major victory for Manchester City’s academy system, which continues to cement its reputation as one of the finest in the country.

Manchester City CEO, Ferran Soriano.

After Southampton recruited the club’s young rising goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu as their number one, another Premier League side taking the leap of faith in Darko Gyabi is indicative of how the coaches at Manchester City are nurturing diamonds in the rough, into gems.

One such coach who has played an integral role of the success of the academy in recent seasons is Enzo Maresca.

Following the departure of Pep Guardiola's assistant coach this summer, with Juanma Lillo heading to Al-Sadd for a first-team coach role, the senior squad have been in search of a replacement.

That name is Maresca, who - after a largely unsuccessful spell with Parma - will return to the Etihad Stadium this summer to sit alongside Guardiola on the Manchester City bench from next season.