Fabrizio Romano: Emilio Lawrence completes move from Everton to Manchester City
Everton youngster Emilio Lawrence has finally completed his move from Everton to Manchester City according to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano.
Romano had previously suggested a deal was close (20 July), after 17-year-old completed his medical with the Premier League champions.
However, negotiations have taken a long time to conclude with the attacking midfielder securing his Goodison Park exit on Wednesday (26 October).
Romano wrote (Twitter, 26 October): “Manchester City have finally signed top talent Emilio Lawrence after long negotiations. It’s done – a deal has been signed, medical completed.
“Lawrence joins City from EFC, he was also part of the U23 team last season. Big statement by City to sign more top talents.”
Blow
This is the kind of move the Toffees really want to be avoiding in the future and Lawrence leaving Goodison Park will be a huge blow to Kevin Thelwell’s plans. The director of football was always going to focus on improving the academy and keeping his best young talents at the club.
Losing Lawrence would not have been part of his plans, but ultimately when the most powerful club in the world come calling it’s always going to be a challenge to persuade a player to remain at Goodison Park.
The positive news is that Thelwell has got a number of Everton’s younger players committed to the club for the long term so there is every chance an other prodigy such as Lawrence will come through the ranks in the coming years.
The move to the Etihad will undoubtedly feel like the best move for Lawrence right now, but there is an argument to suggest his development would have been aided more at Goodison Park, where he could well have earnt more minutes in the first team.