Ecuador wonderkid Jose Cifuentes has revealed he could be set to sign for Manchester City .
The 20-year-old impressed at this summer's Under-20 World Cup, winning the prize for the goal of the tournament award. His displays in Poland attracted the attention of plenty of scouts and now City and Celtic are reportedly fighting out a £2.5million deal.
Cifuentes spent last season with America de Quito in his homeland, but he is now keen on a move to Europe having also completed a degree back in Ecuador.
"My aim is to play in Europe. I don't know which club I will sign for yet - either Manchester City or Celtic. Nothing has been decided yet," he said.
"I deserve my opportunity to play in Europe, it's where I have to be. And my mentality is that I am going to be in Europe for a long time."
If City do sign Cifuentes then they may struggle to get a work-permit for him, which is likely to see him loaned out, possibly to Girona in Spain.
Having completed his education back in Ecuador, the midfielder is looking to continue with his studies in Europe while also forcing his way into the national team.
"I have spent a lot of time studying and they taught me many things, including English which I now understand better," he is quoted as saying in the Scottish Sun .
"To become a great footballer, I must learn languages and not just English. The studying has helped me on and off the pitch because I now believe I make decisions faster.
"Even when I do go to Europe, I want to continue studying. I want to have another profession besides football. Since I was little I thought about going into business.
"The World Cup in Poland was a dream for me and the team. No one imagined Ecuador would reach the semi-finals and it was a great success.
"To wear the shirt of my country was a beautiful experience and it was great to play against the best players in the world of my age group.
"My next ambition is to be part of the team that plays in the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. I will work very hard for it."
