Pablo Moreno of Spain celebrates after scoring for their under-17 side last year. (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Manchester City have confirmed the £9million signing of 18-year-old striker Pablo Moreno from Juventus’ academy recently.
A product of Barcelona’s famed ‘La Masia’ academy, Moreno joined Juventus in 2018 and impressed for their youth teams before playing for their under-23 side this season, who play in Serie C.
A versatile striker, Moreno is comfortable playing anywhere across the front three and has scored four goals and provided as many assists from a total of 39 appearances for Juventus in the Primavera – the Italian youth league.
A prolific goal-scorer, Moreno was also a part of Spain’s squad that emerged as runners-up in the under-17 World Cup in India back in 2017. He currently plays for Spain’s under-18 side and has one goal under his belt from three appearances.
Meanwhile, Moreno’s arrival at the Etihad sees young Manchester City winger Felix Correia go the other way to Juventus following a loan spell with AZ Alkmaar in Holland.
Also, Moreno will soon be offloaded to City’s sister team Girona on loan next season in order for him to pursue his development and get more game time under his belt.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, meanwhile, have two prolific strikers in Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. Aguero is a legend at the Etihad, having won four Premier League titles with them, while Jesus already has two titles to his name at such a young age.
Aguero remains the side’s first-choice striker and is his side’s top goalscorer in the league this term with 16 to his name. However, he recently suffered an injury and is ruled out for the rest of the season. Also, he turned 32 earlier this month and age doesn’t seem to be on his side.
Jesus, on the other hand, has been equally impressive, scoring 10 goals despite mostly playing as a back-up to Aguero. A prolific goal-scorer himself, Jesus will most probably take over the reins if Aguero chooses to depart in the future. Apart from these two, City do not have any strikers in their ranks. Hence, Moreno’s arrival is a welcome sign.
Having proved himself at youth levels in Barcelona, Juventus, and also with his national side, young Moreno is not short of talent. He will be a valuable future addition to City’s squad if he goes onto develop into a top striker.
The loan spell at Girona next season will also prepare him for the upcoming big challenges at City. Thus, bringing Moreno to the Etihad is a step in the right direction by City.
Manchester City lack depth in their goal-scoring department and Aguero’s growing age will be a cause of concern in the coming days. Thus, a move for Moreno is indeed a wise move by the club. He is still in his teens and has a lot of room to develop.
