Manchester City are reportedly the front-runners to sign promising teenage midfielder Amadou Diawara from Bologna this summer.
The 18-year-old has emerged as an important part of the Rossoblu’s side this season, making 30 appearances in Serie A as he continues to improve and develop.
Unsurprisingly, his performances have attracted interest from around Europe, with Corriere di Bologna, as reported by Football Italia, reporting that a sale is likely with the player valued between €15m and €18m.
It is claimed that Bologna have given a FIFA agent the go ahead to sell the teenager on their behalf, with a view of agreeing a deal with a Premier League club in order to maximise the transfer fee that they would receive in return.
As well as the initial fee, Bologna are also reportedly keen on adding various bonuses to the deal as they believe that Diawara has a long and successful future ahead of him.
While they certainly could be right in that regard, the paper also suggests that Pep Guardiola has already been tracking him since last summer.
In turn, the Spaniard is claimed to have requested that City make a move for the defensive midfielder ahead of his arrival in Manchester in the summer.
Guardiola will undoubtedly look to stamp his mark on the squad this summer, and that will involve selling players who don’t fit his style and signing individuals with certain characteristics that can slot in and play the role that he needs.
To place such important on an 18-year-old though would seem quite a gamble, but evidently the current Bayern Munich boss has seen enough to suggest that Diawara is more than capable of being a success in the Premier League.
Although many expect him to do well in his first season in charge at the Etihad, this is arguably the biggest test of Guardiola’s coaching career to date. As a result, it remains to be seen whether or not he can mould this side immediately, or whether it will take time for his ideas and demands to get across.