Manchester City are keen to sign youngster Connor Hunte from rivals Chelsea.

The Premier League Champions' scouts have been keeping a close eye on the 16-year-old and are now ready to make a swoop for the teenager.

The young midfielder has been described to be a similar player to German international Mesut Ozil and Roberto Mancini is keen to snap up the current Chelsea man.

The Blues are set to have a battle on their hands if they are to keep hold of Hunte who has already played for England under-17s and has been tipped for big things by academy staff at Chelsea’s Cobham HQ.

The Daily Mail believes that Chelsea are keen to keep hold of their bright star and will require a compensation fee if the youngster is to head north to join up with the reigning Premier League Champions.

Connor Hunte is considered to be one of the bright young talents of English football and stealing him away from Chelsea would be an impressive coup for Mancini and City.

The transfer would prove to be a change in transfer policy for the Italian as he looks to his new cost effective plan in the procurement of talented youngsters from other members of Europe’s elite.

City have had a change of tact in recent months in building to their championship winning side and have brought in the likes of Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair, young English talent, the only exception being Spaniard Javi Garcia.

The Citizens are also believed to be interested in Serie B club Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi, with Mancini sending his coach Angelo Gregucci to watch him in action recently.

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