Manchester City wonderkid Brahim Diaz wanted by Real Madrid as Premier League career fails to kick-start
MANCHESTER CITY face a fight with Real Madrid to keep hold of wonderkid Brahim Diaz, according to reports in Spain.
The Premier League side beat the Galacticos and Barcelona to the starlet’s signature in 2015 when Malaga cashed in but OK Diario claim they could lose him two years later.
Despite the playmaker making his senior debut in the League Cup last year – and being highly rated by Etihad bosses – he is yet to make his Premier League debut.
The 18-year-old scored 14 goals across the under-21 and U23 sides last season but has failed to make the step up.
And the Spaniard might be a little jealous of 17-year-old City team-mate Phil Foden who has jumped ahead of him with three spots on the first-team bench this campaign.
Diaz scored for City against Zinedine Zidane’s side during a pre-season friendly and it has now been suggested they are exploring the possibility returning him to Spain.
Diaz is under contract at City until 2019 but could be unsettled at a lack of first-team opportunities at a club with a poor record for blooding youngsters.
The teenager was the star man on Wednesday when his U19 beat Feyenoord 2-0 in their opening UEFA Youth League game, hours before senior side romped to a 5-0 win.
And, if the sought-after star does not get a chance to shine in the League Cup clash against West Brom on Wednesday then he will feel hard done by.
After the victory, team-mate Edward Francis raved about Diaz, comparing him to Eden Hazard, David Silva and Lionel Messi.
The England U17 said: “He is a type of player who can win matches for us.
“He is strong with his left and right foot, he is definitely a big player for us.
“If we can keep him fit, he can help us go all the way this year.
“In the Premier League we can compare him with Eden Hazard, but he is a bit like Messi in the way he dribbles.
“It’s good to have a player like him in the team. He is also a bit like David Silva.”
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