Bayern Munich and Ajax have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of one of Manchester City's teenage starlets.
Vincent Kompany - a Man City legend - has enjoyed a successful debut campaign in charge of Bayern, who are in the driving seat to win the Bundesliga title and are still competing in the last eight of the Champions League.
Ajax, meanwhile, are set to celebrate top-flight glory in the Eredivisie this term under Francesco Farioli, who has steered the Dutch giants back on the right track following a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Both Bayern and Ajax are hoping to maintain their places at the summit of their respective leagues in Germany and the Netherlands next season, and they are expected to strengthen their squads in the summer transfer window in order to achieve that.
The two European giants are known for recruiting a number of young players who they develop and integrate into first-team stars, and one player who plies his trade in the Man City academy is understood to have caught their eye.
© Imago
Man City keen to keep Bayern, Ajax-linked Mukasa
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bayern and Ajax have sent scouts to follow Man City 17-year-old talent Divine Mukasa this month.
Both Bayern and Ajax are said to have already scouted Mukasa in the past and continue to monitor the highly-rated attacking midfielder.
However, Romano claims that the Citizens are planning to keep Mukasa at the club and want to extend his contract.
Whether Man City are prepared to offer Mukasa his first professional contract or extend his current academy deal remains unknown at this stage and it will likely depend on whether Pep Guardiola plans to integrate the youngster into his first-team plans in the near future.
© Imago
Who is Man City starlet Divine Mukasa?
London-born Mukasa began his youth career at West Ham United and spent 10 years in their academy before making the move to Man City in 2023.
Mukasa has since excelled for the club's Under-18s side, scoring 17 goals and providing 25 assists in 35 appearances across all youth competitions this season, including a staggering 31 goal contributions (15 goals, 16 assists) in 19 games in the Premier League Under-18s division.
The attacking midfielder has likened himself to star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who has announced that he will be leaving Man City when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
"De Bruyne is similar in terms of always looking to create and score goals," Mukasa told the Manchester Evening News. "From the times I've trained with them, I've tried to pick up as much as I can from the way he behaves, he gives everything every day."
Mukasa, who has participated in first-team training with Guardiola's squad this term, has also represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18s level, earning five international caps for the latter.
Oliver Thomas
