Manchester City academy chief Brian Marwood has made a personal check on £20million-rated Lille teenager Boubakary Soumare who is dubbed the new Paul Pogba.
Marwood travelled to France last Wednesday to watch 18-year-old Soumare play in Lille's 2-1 defeat against Rennes.
Competition is hotting up for the 6ft2ins midfielder with Everton and Leicester also showing a strong interest.
Despite his age, Soumare has become a first-team regular for Lille after signing from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.