Manchester City look to be closing in on Estudiantes winger Dario Sarmiento and the 17-year-old could be the perfect replacement for Jayden Braaf in City's academy.

It has been suggested recently that the Citizens are closing in on a deal for the Argentinian, although they will have to wait until the summer to sign the youngster, as he has not yet turned 18.

Estudiantes president Juan Sebastian Veron has suggested that the Primera División side are hoping to receive a hefty sum for Sarmiento, who has already drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi despite being so young.

The 17-year-old has already made 15 appearances for Estudiantes, in which he has contributed no goals and one assist.

A move to Manchester City seems inevitable in the summer and although he might not be challenging in Pep Guardiola's first-team just yet, he could be the ideal replacement for Braaf in the City academy. Surely if he is already a regular with the Estudiantes first-team in Argentina, you would expect him to adapt quickly to academy football in England.

The Dutch winger looks likely to depart the Citizens this month as a result of a lack of first-team opportunities under the Spanish manager, with Bayer Leverkusen amongst those reportedly interested in signing the former PSV youngster.

Sarmiento would certainly arrive with a lot of pressure on his shoulders if City do end up paying the reported £10 million for his services but with it suggested that he is expected to be the next big thing to come out of Argentina, it does not seem that he is short of ability.

It is no surprise that he is earning Messi comparisons, as he is a left-footed winger, who currently stands at just 5 foot 4, so it will be interesting to see if he can adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and be a success in Guardiola's side in the future.

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