**Manchester City are now leading the chase for one of the most highly-rated talents emerging in French football, according to new information.**
The Premier League giants have continued to intensify recruitment on elite young talent, with France remaining a key market. City’s academy-first strategy, combined with a clear pathway to senior football, has increasingly positioned the club as a preferred destination for prospects and their representatives.
Over recent seasons, Manchester City have shown a willingness to move decisively when opportunities arise, often acting ahead of direct rivals to secure emerging profiles before valuations escalate.
This proactive approach has been evident in previous pursuits of young attackers and midfielders, particularly those capable of developing within City Football Group structures if immediate first-team exposure is not viable.
The appointment of Hugo Viana has only sharpened that focus, with the sporting director heavily involved in negotiations and long-term planning around youth recruitment. City’s internal alignment between scouting, academy development, and first-team needs has been a consistent theme of late, and the latest development appears to fit squarely within that.
According to the information of [L’Equipe’s Loic Tanzi](https://x.com/Tanziloic/status/2007458868574433784?s=20), Manchester City have taken the lead in the chase to sign Troyes’ forward Mathys Detourbet, with sporting director Hugo Viana negotiating for the future of the 18-year-old.
The report places City ahead of rival suitors in Europe, underlining the club’s strong position in discussions and their intent to move early for a player considered among the standout attacking prospects in France.
Detourbet’s profile aligns with Manchester City’s recent preference for technically gifted forwards capable of operating across multiple attacking roles. From City’s perspective, any potential deal would likely be structured with long-term development in mind.
While the teenager’s immediate future could involve further seasoning away from the first team, City’s track record suggests a clear plan would be presented, whether through academy integration, a controlled loan pathway, or wider City Football Group opportunities.
As negotiations continue, Troyes are expected to face increasing pressure given the level of interest and Manchester City’s willingness to engage directly at executive level. Should an agreement be reached, the move would further underline City’s growing dominance in the European youth market.