Manchester City interested in move for 17-year-old forward

Manchester City interested in move for 17-year-old forward Manchester City Revive Mathis Albert Interest as Dortmund Face Growing Pressure Over US Wonderkid Manchester City have renewed their push for Borussia Dortmund teenager Mathis Albert, with the Premier League club emerging as the strongest contenders for one of the most closely watched young wide players in Europe. According to TeamTalk , City are the side showing the greatest intent after a failed attempt to land the 17-year-old in the summer. The report states that Borussia Dortmund’s teenage winger Mathis Albert is attracting serious interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Manchester City currently positioned as the most determined side to sign him. Mathis Albert on Man City radar again City are understood to have made a formal move for the left-sided attacker during the last transfer window and have continued to track his development closely. TEAMtalk reports that the club were prepared to meet a valuation of “€15-20million”, which converts to roughly £16.8m. That level of investment underlines how highly Albert is rated internally. He joined Dortmund from the LA Galaxy academy in 2024 and has already built early senior international experience with the United States, even managing to score at that level. It is a rapid rise for a player still waiting for a sustained first-team opening in Germany. Photo: IMAGO The source adds that “Man City made a formal approach for the left-sided attacker during the summer transfer window and have continued to monitor his situation closely.” That line feels significant. Clubs often keep tabs on elite prospects, but formal contact and sustained monitoring point to a recruitment process with real momentum behind it. Borussia Dortmund stance remains firm Dortmund, for now, are holding their ground. The Bundesliga club have “rebuffed all approaches, including loan enquiries” and continue to insist Albert is part of their senior plans. There is also confidence internally that his minutes will increase as the campaign goes on. Still, the issue is clear. Albert “has seen only limited first-team minutes this season”, and that has fuelled fresh checks from across the market. His contract runs until June 2027, which gives Dortmund a degree of security, but he turns 18 in May and that changes the landscape. Premier League clubs are currently unable to sign him permanently before then. Chelsea remain interested after showing willingness to spend at a similar level, while Paris Saint-Germain are also credited with a previous enquiry. Yet City are described as the club in pole position at this stage. Transfer timing may hinge on FFP outcome Any eventual move is likely to depend on several factors, including Albert’s pathway at Dortmund and City’s wider position. TEAMtalk notes that City’s pursuit is also linked to the outcome of their appeal after being found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges, with a transfer ban mentioned as one possible sanction. That introduces an obvious element of uncertainty, but it does not appear to have cooled interest. If Albert’s game time does not increase, pressure could build quickly ahead of January and then next summer, when Europe’s top clubs may feel the window to strike has opened properly. For now, Dortmund are determined to keep him and are in contract talks, but the situation is moving into a more delicate phase. City have liked the player for some time, they have already tested the water once, and the expectation around this file is that it will stay active. Our View This feels exactly the sort of move worth watching closely. The age profile fits, the fee is sizeable but still manageable, and the player’s pathway matters as much as the talent itself. When a 17-year-old is already drawing this level of attention from Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, there is usually substance behind the noise. The encouraging part is that City appear to have done more than admire him from afar. A formal approach in the summer suggests real conviction. It also suggests the club see Albert as more than a development signing parked for later. If the recruitment team are still there after limited minutes at Dortmund, they may believe the upside is significant. There is always a question with teenagers, especially wide forwards, over whether they are ready for the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League. That is where patience becomes important. If he arrives, there would need to be a proper plan around minutes, coaching and positioning. That can make or break this kind of signing. The other issue is the uncertainty surrounding City’s regulatory situation. It inevitably hangs over every incoming deal. Even so, if the club are allowed to act and Albert becomes available once he turns 18, this has the look of a smart long-term play, especially at around £16.8m. Those are the deals that can age very well.