MANCHESTER CITY have opened talks to land RB Salzburg’s 16-year-old scoring sensation Luka Reischl, reports say.
The Juventus target has hit 15 goals in ten academy games – and would be available for a bargain fee as he is yet to sign a professional contract.
Luka Reischl stormed to the attention of Man City and Juventus when he helped RB Salzburg win the Istria Youth CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Frontman Luka Reischl, playing for Austria U16s, only turned 16 last month but has an incredible scoring record for RB Salzburg’s academy teamCredit: PA:Press Association
City’s interest was reportedly sparked when, as joint top scorer, Reischl helped Salzburg lift the prestigious Istria Youth Cup last October.
The Austrian champions beat Arsenal 1-0 as they won three matches out of three without conceding a goal on the way to the final, where they destroyed Rangers 4-0.
In all, Reischl has netted 63 times in just 41 academy appearances.
And at international level he notched four goals in ten U15 games, before amassing two in four for the U16s so far.
Calciomercato say City and Italian champs Juve are both monitoring the natural finisher, who only turned 16 last month.
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Etihad chief Pep Guardiola is ultimately seeking a long-term replacement for City’s record scorer Sergio Aguero, 31.
But he also wants to increase the number of youngsters in an ageing squad set to be dethroned as Premier League kings by Liverpool, who are 22 points clear.
Unless Reischl pens a pro deal with Salzburg, his transfer fee would be minimal.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is ready to offload £27.4million summer buy Joao Cancelo.
The Portugual right-back, 27, has never won a regular place since arriving from Juventus in a part-exchange deal worth £60m overall as Danilo went the other way.
An Etihad source said of Cancelo: “He has a young family and the interest from clubs on the continent already has him considering his long-term future.
“He was initially playing catch up on his fitness but his scratchy performances have left the jury out and it’s not looking good.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
