Manchester City have completed the signing of Patrick Roberts from Fulham. It ends a relatively short saga surrounding the winger, who joins for around £5 million as a basic fee, which could rise to £11 million with performance-related add-ons based on his time at City.
Roberts had been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as being offered a new contract by Fulham – with just one year left on his current deal – but plumped for City, seemingly confident about his prospects with The Blues. His former side, The Cottagers, were keen for him to stay on in London and continue his development unhindered, but the 18-year-old has flown the nest and moved up north instead.
However, there are rumours he could be loaned straight back to Fulham, which is feasible given the options City already have and the players they’re being linked with this summer. It’s not difficult to see Roberts being loaned back out, perhaps to the Championship or a lower-level Premier League side.
Patrick Roberts becomes City’s third major signing of the summer transfer window, but he’s almost certainly not going to be the biggest or the last. City have been prolific in signing young, English players this summer and Roberts is said to have a very bright future ahead.
