Man City starlet Brahim Diaz nears January move to Real Madrid

Brahim Diaz is one of a number of youth products finding it difficult to break into the Manchester City first team

When former Manchester City youngster Jadon Sancho left the Etihad for Borussia Dortmund it was unknown just how well he would acclimatise in the Bundesliga. Sancho had been highly regarded at City, but one can never be sure when it comes to promising young players, and as such, there must be a tinge of regret at the club when they watch him tear apart Bundesliga defences week in, week out. They could soon be experiencing something similar if another youngster, Brahim Diaz, completes his proposed move to Real Madrid in January. The Spanish 19-year-old moved to City from Malaga as a 16-year-old, but has struggled to find any notable game time in a squad filled with roughly two superstars per position. This lack of opportunity has clearly prompted him to view his future elsewhere, with Madrid reportedly ready to pay £15 million for his services. He would be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. His departure will mean that Phil Foden is the remaining jewel in the club's youth set up. Foden won the Golden Ball after helping guide England to the Under-17 World Cup and was the recipient of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award in the same year. Though he has featured eight times in the league for Pep Guardiola's side this season, there remains an undercurrent of frustration among a portion of City fans at the lack of opportunities he has been granted, especially considering the level of quality he has shown in those performances. Should Diaz complete his move, he will join a strong group of up-and-coming stars at the club, including Vinicius Junior and Santos forward Rodrygo, who will join the club in the summer of 2019.