Manchester City are not only looking to strengthen their senior squad this summer, but they’ve been working hard on bolstering their academy ranks too.
Last month, it was reported that Man City were closing in on the signing of Kaylen Moss, a midfielder in Liverpool’s academy.
It has also been reported that Tottenham’s Dexter Oliver and Aston Villa’s Freddie Lawrie were also making progress towards moving to City.
Now, a different youth prodigy on Manchester City’s radar has reportedly emerged as a target for bitter rivals Manchester United.
Fulham and England Under-17 midfielder Seth Ridgeon
Photo by Ben McShane – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
Manchester United join Manchester City in Seth Ridgeon race
The player in question is Seth Ridgeon, who plays for Fulham’s academy and is the England Under-17s captain.
The Secret Scout previously reported that Man City and Liverpool are monitoring Ridgeon’s situation, with his contract expiring this summer.
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Now, Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian has reported that Man United and Chelsea have joined the race for the 16-year-old.
Steinberg reported that Man City, Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea are all pursuing Ridgeon, who is yet to make a decision on his future.
Although Fulham are yet to retain him, they are not giving up hope of keeping him, added Steinberg.
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Hint emerges regarding Seth Ridgeon’s future which will come as a boost to his suitors
Earlier this week, Jack Kelly – a freelance journalist who covers Fulham – shared an interesting bit of information that boosts the likes of Man City in their pursuit of Ridgeon.
Kelly took to X to report that Ridgeon doesn’t appear to have been included in the group of new scholars at Craven Cottage.
This suggests that Fulham’s academy may just be planning for life without Ridgeon in their ranks and, as such, his suitors will fancy their chances of signing him.
Ridgeon’s last season saw him split his time between the Under-18s and the Under-21s, and he looked a cut above among his peers in both age groups.
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Minutes
U18 Premier League 7 2 4 605′
Premier League 2 5 3 – 391′
PL2 Playoffs 2 – – 90′
FA Youth Cup 2 1 – 179′
Total 24/25: 16 6 4 1.265′
Seth Ridgeon’s club stats in 2024/25 (Transfermarkt)
“Based on his talent and how highly he is rated by coaches at club and international level, Ridgeon has all the potential to be Fulham’s brightest academy prospect of the 21st century,” Cottagers fan site Fulhamish wrote of Ridgeon last year.
“The versatile midfielder loves to control games from a range of positions in the middle of the park, equally capable of dictating from deep or chipping in with goals from further up the field.”