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Manchester City and Chelsea are heading to war for the signature of a young Belgian superstar, but they’ll also face competition from a well-placed Bayern Munich.
Manchester City and Chelsea are hoping to bring the Belgian wonderkid, standing at 6ft 4in, to the Premier League, with the youngster rapidly becoming the world’s most sought-after teenager.
In their attempt to do so, they will face stiff competition from Bayern Munich, who are particularly well-positioned in the race due to Vincent Kompany’s Belgian links.
Manchester City and Chelsea fight it out for Nathan De Cat
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership and the City Football Group are working tirelessly to bring wonderkid Nathan De Cat to the Premier League.
De Cat is a towering figure, standing at well above six feet tall, that is already dominating first-team games at the age of just 17.
The Belgian, who currently plays for Anderlecht, is capable of playing as both a deep-lying playmaker and a traditional holding midfielder, bringing close control, vision and technical composure to any side he plays for.
Despite his age, Anderlecht are expected to demand within the region of £30 million for his signature, recognising his status as one of the game’s finest youth talents.
Bayern Munich are perceived as a serious threat to both Manchester City and Chelsea’s pursuits of the youngster, largely due to Vincent Kompany’s links to Belgian football and Anderlecht.
Vincent Kompany — ranked at No. 6 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best Premier League defenders of all time — began his professional playing career with Anderlecht, graduating from their youth system, then began his managerial career with the club in 2020.
De Cat, whose current deal with Anderlecht runs until the summer of 2027, will turn 18 this summer and therefore becomes eligible to move freely across Europe.
The report also identifies Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur as other Premier League sides that have been tracking the 17-year-old throughout the season.
De Cat has four goal involvements in his last five Jupiler Pro League games for Anderlecht, including an assist double in a 4-2 win over Zulte Waregem.
The 17-year-old will face a crucial decision regarding his future this summer, as will Anderlecht as they anticipate an influx of pressure over the coming months.
