Manchester City could complete the signing of Patrick Roberts by the end of the week according to The Telegraph, with Fulham unlikely to reject any further approaches for their young starlet from The Blues, which would see him become the first signing of the summer for City.
Roberts is set to be loaned back out amidst fears he won’t be able to get gametime and as such develop properly at City, although it seems unlikely this loan will be back to Craven Cottage after the young attacker made just 3 starts for Fulham last season. A foreign loan is being considered, but it’s yet to be decided.
Some reports are saying City bid £5 million for the 18-year-old, which was rejected, however some reports are contrasting that and say an £8 million deal has already been agreed between City and The Cottagers, a deal which would kick off the summer’s incomings for City.
Patrick Roberts has reportedly rebuffed offers of a contract extension from Fulham, which is forcing their hand due to his current deal expiring next summer. Him rejecting new deals and the fact he hasn’t got long to go at Fulham on his present contract are likely to be key factors in how much City are paying for the youngster. If he had a long-term contract with Fulham ahead of him, and he wasn’t so seemingly keen to try and challenge at a big club, then it’s easy to imagine Fulham would be asking for more for one of their star youngsters.
