Man City transfer news: Citizens identify £16.9m teenager as Alvarez replacement?

Manchester City are said to be admirers of the 19-year-old Copenhagen striker Orri Oskarssonwhich they consider an ideal replacement Erling Haaland.

The reigning Premier League champions have been working with two-time Golden Boot winner Haaland and Julian Alvarez as their central options over the past two years, but the latter joined Atletico Madrid in a club-record deal earlier this summer.

A lack of starts in the centre-forward role was reportedly the main reason for Alvarez's departure, and City have also sold Liam Delap to newly promoted Ipswich Town.

As a result, Haaland is currently the only recognised centre-forward in Pep Guardiolathe ranks of , which means that Bernardo Silva Or Kevin De Bruyne could be forced into that position if the Norwegian gets injured.

Alternatively, City could tap the transfer market for a back-up option in the final days, and The Athletic claims that Oskarsson is held in high regard by the Citizens' brass.

Manchester City-linked Oskarsson to leave for £16.9m?

© Imago

The 19-year-old represented Grotta in his native country before joining Copenhagen's youth academy in 2020, and he has already made 60 appearances for the senior team, scoring 22 goals and providing a further nine assists.

Oskarsson has had his name in the spotlight on several occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, where he has contributed 15 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances, setting up Copenhagen's consolation goal against Man City in their Champions League last-16 second-leg defeat.

The teenager has already made a flying start this season with six goals in 10 appearances in all competitions, and he has two goals to show for it in his first eight games in an Iceland shirt.

Oskarsson is contracted to Copenhagen until the summer of 2028, having signed an extension just weeks ago, but the report adds that the Danish side are preparing for his departure before the transfer window closes.

A fee of €20m (£16.9m) would appear to be enough to pry the highly-rated teenager away from Scandinavia, with City said to be “fervent admirers” of the 2004-born forward.

Will Manchester City sign Oskarsson before transfer deadline?

© Imago

However, it appears unlikely that the reigning Premier League champions will make a move for Oskarsson in the coming days, even though he has been earmarked as an ideal depth option.

Instead, the Icelandic international could join Port – who recently sold Evanilson in Bournemouth – or Real Sociedadwhile other unnamed Premier League teams are also in the mix.

Although a move for a new striker has been mooted by Etihad bosses, they would only push for a last-minute signing if a compelling opportunity presents itself between now and August 30.

The Celtics Kyogo Furuhashi has also been linked with a late move to the Etihad, but as is the case with Oskarsson, a deal is unlikely to materialise in the coming days.

Haaland's hat-trick helped Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town at the weekend, and Guardiola's side return to action away to West Ham United on Saturday.

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