Manchester City wins race for 14-year-old American prospect Cavan Sullivan: Philadelphia Union midfielder was also pursued by Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich… but he can’t go abroad until he turns 16

American youth standout Cavan Sullivan is reportedly in talks to sign with Manchester City, sources told The Athletic.

While the main points have all been agreed upon, the deal for the 14-year-old attacker is still being finalized. The plan would be for Sullivan to be loaned to City Football Group club Lommel SK in Belgium when he turns 16.

Sullivan will not be able to play for City until he turns 18.

Deemed as one of the best young players in the world, Sullivan is part of the Philadelphia Union academy but is yet to sign a professional contract with the club. Sullivan has scored 16 goals so far for the Union’s youth teams.

According to two sources, Philadelphia has been working on keeping Sullivan, including a plan to extend the ‘best-ever homegrown offer’. While the Union would have been open to a deal to keep him until he turns 18, Sullivan pushed through with negotiations with City.

The plan is to loan Sullivan to City Football Group club Lommel SK in Belgium when he turns 16

Sullivan currently plays for the Philadelphia Union Academy and United States U-15 team 

MLS commissioner Don Garber, aware of the situation, addressed it to The Athletic on Wednesday.

‘How do we ensure that that 14-year-old kid who’s playing in Philadelphia who is rumored to be one of the best young kids in the world,’ said Garber. ‘How do we ensure that kid wants to play in MLS, that we could afford to sign him, and he wants to play for one of our clubs?’

In addition to his club success, Sullivan led the United States to victory at the CONCACAF U-15 Championships and earned the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament.

Sullivan also starred in the GA Cup last year and was included in the tournament’s Best XI. The GA Cup is an annual premier youth tournament in the United States. At 13, Sullivan played for the Union’s U-15 team, who beat Arsenal and Real Madrid en route to the final.

Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin spoke highly of Sullivan last year.

‘Those that maybe haven’t learned yet, a young Cavan Sullivan has the talent and ability to become, I’ll just say, a household name and is doing really big things,’ Curtin said.

Cavan’s older brother, Quinn, turns 20 this month and plays for the Union’s first team.