Manchester City are set to sign and loan out Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan, despite regular links between the player and Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Sverre Nypan celebrating a goal for Rosenborg (Photo via Nypan on Twitter)
Photo via Nypan on Twitter
David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement for the signing of Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg, subject to personal terms being finalised.
Ornstein reports that Nypan will join City for a Norwegian league record transfer fee, believed to be €15m, before going out on a season-long loan in 2025/26.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Girona all made moves to sign the player in January, and Villa seemed to be the favourites until recently, but City have now agreed a deal.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 17: Sven Hypan of Rosenborg poses for a team photo prior to kick off ahead of the UEFA Conference League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg between Hearts and Rosenborg at Tynecastle Park on August 17, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Though Ornstein points out that City weren’t among Nypan’s suitors in January, that’s a bit of a technicality. Girona’s move was always viewed as a stepping stone to City, with the two clubs sharing the same ownership group.
Manchester City even invited Nypan along to watch one of their games during the winter window, so they were evidently in the mix.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Nypan will go straight out on loan from City to Girona themselves.
Sverre Nypan (L) in attendance at Manchester City's game against Chelsea (Photo via @manchestriconic on Twitter)
Photo via @manchestriconic on Twitter
There hasn’t been any suggestion of an Arsenal bid for Nypan this summer, so perhaps the pursuit of the 18-year-old could have been affected by the arrival of Andrea Berta.
The same thing happened with Joan Garcia, with Arsenal strongly pursuing the goalkeeper under Edu Gaspar and interim director Jason Ayto, before fading from the race after Berta’s arrival.
Though it’s a shame to miss out on both Nypan and Garcia, Berta appears to be focusing Arsenal’s funds on potential starters in key positions of concern. Neither Nypan nor Garcia fit that bill.
Whether Berta’s strategy is a good one will depend on Arsenal actually filling those positions of need. If they fail to do so, the missed market opportunities for talented prospects won’t be viewed so favourably.
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