‘Set to join’: Fabrizio Romano says Manchester City are now about to sign Newcastle United star

Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of England’s brightest young talents has led them to Newcastle United’s doorstep, with the Premier League champions finalizing a deal for highly-rated Under-15 prospect Ethan Fullen.

The transfer, confirmed by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, represents another strategic acquisition in City’s meticulously crafted youth recruitment program that has become the envy of European football.

Romano reveals the Etihad hierarchy are currently “sorting final details” to secure the services of a player they consider a “huge talent,” with the teenager “set to join” City’s elite development setup.

This move continues a well-established pattern for the Manchester club, who previously plucked Divine Mukasa from West Ham – a youngster who models his game on Kevin De Bruyne – as part of their mission to hoard the country’s most promising academy products.

For Newcastle, losing Fullen delivers a blow to their burgeoning youth system, though such raids have become an unfortunate reality for clubs outside the traditional “Big Six.”

City’s unparalleled success at youth level, combined with their proven pathway to first-team opportunities, makes them an irresistible destination for ambitious teenagers.

The reigning champions have fielded numerous academy graduates in recent seasons while also developing players who later flourished elsewhere, creating a compelling sales pitch for young talents like Fullen.

The 15-year-old now enters an exclusive group of players to represent both clubs, joining an illustrious list that includes Premier League stalwarts James Milner, Shay Given, and Craig Bellamy.

While comparisons to these established stars remain premature, Fullen’s capture demonstrates City’s faith in his potential to eventually follow in their footsteps.

Newcastle’s challenge now lies in convincing their next generation of prospects that St James’ Park can offer comparable development opportunities – no easy task when facing City’s state-of-the-art facilities and Pep Guardiola’s reputation for blooding young talent.

The Magpies have made strides in youth recruitment under their new ownership, but this transfer serves as a sobering reminder of the pulling power elite clubs wield over emerging players.

As City continue building football’s most formidable talent pipeline, Fullen’s arrival represents another piece in their long-term vision.

For Newcastle, it underscores the need to accelerate their academy project to prevent further losses of their most promising youngsters to wealthier rivals.

The coming years will reveal whether this transfer becomes a footnote or the beginning of another success story in City’s youth revolution.