Fabrizio Romano shares image of Emilio Lawrence in Manchester City colours as he agrees to quit Everton
Manchester City beat a number of clubs to sign “promising youngster” Emilio Lawrence from Everton, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Writing via his CaughtOffside Substack on Sunday (6 November), the Guardian journalist shared an image of Lawrence, 17, holding a Man City shirt after agreeing to join the Premier League champions from the Blues.
It is understood that it wasn’t straightforward for City to sign the Scottish attacking midfielder, however.
“Official, confirmed,” said Romano on his CaughtOffside Substack.
“Manchester City have signed promising youngster Emilio Lawrence from Everton.
“City have added a top talent to their academy who was also wanted by many other clubs.”
Man City’s academy probably has a squad that could get results in the Premier League due to the number of top talents they keep taking from other clubs.
Even though Everton a massive club in their own right and have a good track record of promoting youngsters from their academy, it’s still hard for teenagers like Lawrence to turn down a move to Man City.
In fairness, Pep Guardiola has a good record of his own for giving starlets a chance to shine in his first-team squad even though he has a lot of big-money players in there.
However, you have to think that staying put at Goodison for at least a few more years would have benefitting Lawrence more than going to Man City.
Just look at Anthony Gordon and Tom Davies for two recent examples while you can also go back through the last couple of decades and look at Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman.
We wish Lawrence all the best at the Etihad.
It’s just a shame that he won’t be continuing his journey as an Evertonian.