Fabrizio Romano has provided a key update over the future of Manchester City talent Max Alleyne.
Alleyne has emerged as one of the brightest talents in the Manchester City academy, and the club’s coaches have high hopes for the 20-year-old.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola named Alleyne in a number of Premier League and Champions League matchday squads last season.
Now, having helped City’s U21s win an unprecedented fourth Premier League 2 title, Alleyne is set to embark on the next step of his development.
Max Alleyne of Manchester City U21 runs with the ball during the EFL Trophy match between Bradford City and Manchester City U21 at University of Bradford Stadium on October 31, 2023
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Max Alleyne set to sign new Manchester City contract and join Watford on loan
Fabrizio Romano has taken to X to report that Alleyne is set to join Watford on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 season.
In addition, Alleyne will put pen to paper on a new contract at City before heading off to Vicarage Road, according to Romano.
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“Understand Max will sign new deal at #MCFC in next 24h and then complete Watford move, as revealed 10 days ago,” wrote Romano. “Deal agreed in principle.”
🚨🟡⚫️ EXCL: Watford and Man City agree season long loan deal for 20 year old defender Max Alleyne.
Understand Max will sign new deal at #MCFC in next 24h and then complete Watford move, as revealed 10 days ago.
Deal agreed in principle. pic.twitter.com/P2K1jVSECe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2025
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Watford are set to compete in the Championship this season, having finished 14th in the second-tier table last term.
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What Pep Guardiola has previously said about Max Alleyne
Alleyne has gone from strength to strength in the EDS setup over the past year, going on to win the EDS Player of the Year award for 2024/25.
‘A tough defender who showcased his strength, ability to read play, put in a tackle and also play defence-splitting through-balls, all areas of Alleyne’s game have seen improvement,’ wrote the City website.
Alleyne earned a call-up in the Champions League in 2023/24 and almost made his debut at Red Star Belgrade in December 2023.
“At the end I wanted to put Max on as a central defender because he has a special quality with the ball,” Guardiola said at the time, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“But the game was not quite under control, but it’s a big compliment for all the academy for many years.”
Alleyne was also on the bench away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, with Guardiola once again singing his praises.
When discussing his limited defensive options in March, Guardiola said: “Jahmai [Simpson-Pusey] has played a few games there and we have Max Alleyne, and we trust a lot in him.
“Two players in the academy who are doing really well in the youth competition in midweek.”