Manchester City have secured the January transfer of teenage Barcelona left back Juan Larios by outbidding Manchester United for the signature of a player described as "the next Jordi Alba".
Larios will join City under European Union freedom of movement laws upon turning 16 next month as the Abu Dhabi-owned club seek to bolster their cadre of elite continental talents before Brexit brings such transfers to an end.
According to individuals familiar with the deal, City offered financial terms far superior to those on offer elsewhere in the Premier League. Both Manchester United and Arsenal declined to match the salary package agreed by the English Premier League champions.
Liverpool are understood to have been excluded from consideration by Larios' representatives because of the manner in which the Merseyside club had handled the career of another of the player agency's young prospects.
Barcelona , who wanted to retain a technically gifted Spain youth international regularly playing two age levels ahead of his birth cohort, will receive a FIFA-mandated training compensation payment of less than €400,000 for Larios.
In addition to their willingness to outbid domestic rivals for Europe's best academy talent, City secured Larios by presenting the best Premier League environment for the full back's transition to senior football.
“We knew Manchester City would be the easiest club for Juan to adapt to English football as they have many Spanish players and staff,” said a source close to the player.
Abu Dhabi's funding and structuring of City's academy has allowed the club to secure elite teenage talents such as Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz before selling them on for substantial transfer fees. The club's ability to sign overseas-based players at age 16 is set to be brought to an end by the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.
Although FIFA is understood to have advised the Premier League that the European Union/European Economic Area dispensation for players between the age of 16 and 18 will continue for UK clubs until a transition period has been competed, the new Conservative government has said that will end in December next year.
At that point, City's recruitment of non-UK footballers will be limited by FIFA regulations preventing the transfer of individuals under the age of 18. In August, City were fined CHF370,000 by the world governing body after admitting to breaching those rules in recruiting, training and playing African minors.
For analysis of Manchester City's acquisition of Juan Larios please listen to the latest edition of The Transfer Window podcast.
