Peterborough United director Barry Fry has confirmed Manchester City contacted the club for 19-year-old English whizkid Ronnie Edwards.
Ronnie Edwards is one of those rare talents primed for a big career ahead. Despite Peterborough United’s relegation into League One, the 19-year-old central defender has been regularly monitored by a host of Premier League clubs.
Crystal Palace recently had a bid rejected by Peterborough, and the Eagles are not alone in pursuing the English whizkid. The 19-year-old has interest from Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa, although more clubs might also be keen on bringing him.
He could be considered at the same level as Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill, who could also be on the move this summer. As for Edwards, Manchester City seem to be serious about signing the teenage prodigy, and Peterborough director of football Barry Fry confirmed contacts with the Premier League champions.
Barry Fry’s quotes appeared on Peterborough Today, as the club executive expressed the desire to do business with Manchester City, albeit at their condition. He reckoned the club might be open to selling the 19-year-old defender but wanted him back on loan for another season.
Barry Fry said, “Ronnie has three years left on his contract with us,” Fry said. “He’s happy here, and he’s looking forward to playing regular first-team football for us next season. There has been no attempt by Ronnie or his representatives to get a move.”
“City did make a phone call about him, but it was just a conversation. There has been interest all summer long in Ronnie, but he would rather play in League One than in City’s, or any other club’s, under-21 side.”
“There is no doubt he will get to the Premier League one day and earn life-changing money, but he’s a very sensible young man and knows time is on his side. I suppose an ideal scenario would be a club paying proper money for him and then loaning him back to us for a season.”
Whether Manchester City or any other team will be open to negotiating such a deal remains to be seen. Loaning the English whizkid back could prove beneficial in the long run, given his development at Peterborough has been excellent. The club could demand a fee close to £15 million, with Edwards having three years left on his deal.
