Sources: Manchester City close to offloading forward, deal to be done this week
EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke
A City source has told Football Insider that club chiefs feel a season out on loan playing regular first-team football is the next stage in Buckley-Ricketts’s development before he can return to challenge for a place in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded first-team plans.
A number of clubs have expressed an interest in taking Buckley-Ricketts on loan, but City enjoy a good working relationship with FC Twente having sent several young players on loan to Holland in recent seasons.
The teenager is highly-regarded at City having joined the club at the age of 13 and worked his way up the ranks.
A player renowned for his speed and skill, he was a member of the England Under-19s squad that won this summer’s European Championships for the first time in their history.
The teenager scored seven goals in 19 games for City’s Under-23s side in the Premier League 2 and Uefa Youth League.
Buckley-Ricketts, who is under contract at City until 2019, has yet to make his first-team debut for the club, but City’s hierarchy have high hopes for the teenager in the future.
In other Manchester City transfer news, manager Pep Guardiola is considering a summer move for this defensive duo.
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