Arsenal and Tottenham have received a major boost in their pursuit of Bobby Duncan after reports of an impasse in his contract talks with Manchester City.
Manchester City are flying high in the league at the moment. Mesmerising football matched with some impressive results have left the City faithfuls in great spirits. However, the budding pride of the club – their youth academy – is set to take another hit, according to a report from Manchester Evening News.
Bobby Duncan – a 16-year-old English striker – has been a part of Manchester City for six years. But, with his contract set to expire at the end of the year, the player could be the next to leave the academy without ever making the senior grade, especially after the report iterated that the contract talks over an extension have broken down.
Duncan comes from footballing royalty, albeit indirectly, with the player a cousin of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. However, the talent’s current footballing status could be subject to much improvement.
The youngster had trained with the Under-18s and Under-23s this season but his refusal to entertain the thought of an extension has seen City alienate the striker from any on-pitch action, which is unlikely to help their cause.
Man City set to see England youth hotshot Bobby Duncan leave https://t.co/VgtsAjVmn7 pic.twitter.com/Nv2Jt1SMrH
— Zesty Man City News (@zesty_mancity) December 1, 2017
A frustrated Duncan has been restricted to just international football, with the player continuing to shine for the Three Lions – Duncan scored for the Under-17s against Portugal and Germany in friendlies in November.
Manchester City have seen Jadon Sancho leave the club, citing a lack of a clear pathway into the first-team setup as the major reason behind his decision to join Borussia Dortmund. And early signs point towards a similar case for Bobby Duncan.
Sancho was being linked with City’s Premier League rivals and Duncan, just like Dortmund’s new number 7, is no exception. Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton are all linked with the 16-year-old striker, with all three clubs able to make a decent case for themselves as proponents of youth.
Arsenal and Tottenham both pride themselves over a fantastic core of English players and Duncan could find himself at home at either of those clubs or even at Southampton. City do not seem to be worried about the prospect of Duncan leaving either, which is clearly evident from their move to alienate the 16-year-old from any on-pitch action.
City’s loss could ultimately be a fellow club’s gain. Who knows, young Bobby might just go on to become a great striker and leave City to rue their mistake. For now, Duncan will be looking to find a new home fast or agree to an extension at City itself. Anything would do for young Bobby, as long as he gets some much-needed action under his belt.
