Manchester City have quietly signed the next Morgan Rogers from West Brom
Man City have raided West Brom for another academy product in Forestar Kuzatjike as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Morgan Rogers after he made the same move in 2019.
Rogers is one of the best young talents in the Premier League right now as he continues to shine at Aston Villa and with the England national team.
Born in Halesowen, he was once a budding star in West Brom‘s academy ranks, and he made his professional debut for the club in February 2019 at just 16 years old.
Rogers was snapped up by Man City in August of the same year, but he failed to break into their first team amid numerous EFL loan spells, before a permanent move to Middlesbrough in 2023.
He has gone from strength to strength ever since, and his footsteps could soon be followed by Kuzatjike as he joins the Citizens from the Baggies.
Man City have signed Forestar Kuzatjike from West Brom
City’s academy has produced an array of talent in recent years, with Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jeremie Frimpong and Liam Delap among many who have emerged through their ranks to become stars in their own right.
Rogers is an example of the calibre of budding starlet that they can poach from clubs lower down the leagues, and Kuzatjike is another who has made the move from West Brom to the Etihad Stadium.
The 14-year-old is a gifted attacking midfielder who can also feature on the wings, and is set to join City’s under-16 team after signing terms.
Guardiola has trusted numerous academy products to make their mark on the senior City side this season, with Kuzatjike potentially set to become one of the next promising stars to feature in their first team in the years to come.
Rogers has been touted to move back to City after stellar Villa form
Rogers’ progression since leaving City will have left them annoyed at his departure, especially considering that he was still on their books just two years ago.
Their quest for more silverware and Villa’s financial troubles could have seen the 23-year-old make the move back to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, but a move did not materialise.
City were interested in Rogers after the end of last season, following Villa’s failure to achieve Champions League qualification, but they refused to sell and instead let Jacob Ramsey leave to quell their financial concerns.
Rogers recently signed a new Villa contract to tie him down to the club until 2031, however, and so City will now have to focus on developing their next star from West Brom instead of re-signing him.