According to a recent report by the Sun, Manchester City are set to battle it out with Manchester United in pursuit of 1899 TSG Hoffenheim midfielder Ilay Elmkies during this ongoing summer transfer period. The same source has mentioned that the Citizens boss Pep Guardiola and his coaches want the teenage sensation to develop at the Etihad Stadium over the coming years.
Elmkies’ Rapid Rise In Germany
Elmkies came through the youth ranks of SV Sinsheim before he made a switch to Hoffenheim back in 2015. The Israel Under-19 international couldn’t manage to break into the German side’s first-team last season, but he put in a string of eye-catching displays for the Hoffenheim Under 19 team which has seen his stock rise in Europe.
The 19-year-old made a total of 30 appearances for the German youth side, scoring three goals while grabbing four assists in all competitions. Elmkies is currently an integral member of the Israel Under-19 team having featured in nine matches for them thus far.
If he can continue improving as a player, then there is no doubt that the Hoffenheim wonderkid has the potential to become a class act in midfield. However, for now, he needs to concentrate on proving his worth at the youth level before he can take on the challenges of regular first-team football.
Will The Israeli Prospect Be A Good Fit For Man City?
The Nahariya born talent could find an ideal home at Man City, a club that has built one of the best youth academies in Europe over the past decade. Furthermore, Guardiola is one of the best man-managers in the world, so he will be the perfect candidate to nurture the Israeli starlet.
The addition of an up-and-coming player like Elmkies will undoubtedly bolster the Citizens’ midfield options in the future. However, he is still quite far away from regularly featuring in the Premier League.
Is Elmkies A Star In The Making?
The fact that the Mancunian outfit is looking to build for the future bodes well for their supporters as they can now expect a sustained period of success at the Etihad. Elmkies is a prospect for the future so Man City will do well to lure him away from German football this summer.
