Manchester City Prepare New Contract for Highly-Rated Defender Amid Impressive Premier League Loan

Manchester City Prepare New Contract for Highly-Rated Defender Amid Impressive Premier League Loan Assessing Hugo Viana's start to life at Manchester City More Videos It can be hard for Manchester City supporters to keep tabs on the academy graduates out on loan every season, but when one gets off to a start like Stephen Mfuni at Coventry City , they are bound to catch the eye. The highly-rated teenage defender has not looked out of place since stepping up to the Premier League so far this season and is now securing regular starts to match under Frank Lampard. Having joined the Manchester City youth setup at under-9 level, the now-18 year-old, versatile defender has long been rated among the brightest prospects in East Manchester by officials around the club. After a season of gaining valuable Championship experience with Watford, Stephen Mfuni made a summer move to play under Lampard, and his solid start in the top-flight has prompted Manchester City to act over his long-term future. According to a new report by Graeme Bailey of  TEAMtalk , Manchester City are said to be 'delighted' with the progress Stephen Mfuni is making so far at the CBS Arena under Frank Lampard. Comfortable at both centre-back and left-back, the Wigan-born defender has nailed down a place in Lampard’s side, starting recent Premier League games against Sunderland and Everton. In fact, the report states that officials at Manchester City had initially considered keeping Stephen Mfuni in Enzo Maresca’s current squad this season, before ultimately deciding regular first-team football in the Premier League was the better next step for the player. That call is already paying off, with the teenager showing his versatility and composure against senior opposition on a regular basis. His displays will only have strengthened the club’s belief that Mfuni has the technical and physical tools to become a regular first-team option at the Etihad Stadium later on down the line. With his current deal entering its final months, Manchester City already hold the option to extend Stephen Mfuni’s stay, but the club would rather reward his progress with a completely fresh long-term agreement. They are reportedly keen to tie him down quickly before any rival suitors step up their interest, with the player's form having not gone unnoticed across the continent, with the likes of  Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain said to be keeping tabs on his development. The German giants in particular, managed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, will be well aware of the talent coming through the academy in East Manchester through the Belgian's connections at the club. Despite that outside interest, City  remain determined to keep hold of a defender they have nurtured for almost a decade, and as Stephen Mfuni adds to his senior experience, getting his signature on a new deal could prove to be a masterstroke for the club’s planning.