Transfer Centre

Southampton 'agree to sign Manchester City duo Sam Edozie, Juan Larios'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 31 August 2022

Southampton 'agree to sign Man City duo Edozie, Larios'

Southampton reportedly reach an agreement with Manchester City to sign teenage starlets Sam Edozie and Juan Lario on permanent deals.

Southampton have reportedly reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign teenage starlets Sam Edozie and Juan Larios on permanent deals.

The Saints have already raided City's youth system for two players this summer, with Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia moving to St Mary's for a combined fee of around £29m including add-ons.

Southampton's transfer business has been heavily influenced by their new head of senior recruitment Joe Shields, who joined the club from Man City in June.

Shields was highly regarded at the Etihad Stadium, where he spent nine years as the club's head of youth recruitment.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, a deal has been agreed between Southampton and City for 19-year-old Edozie and 18-year-old Larios to move to the South coast permanently, with both transfers set to be completed in the "next hours".

Southampton have now reached full agreement with Man City to sign Sam Edozie and Juan Larios, two more top talents. 🚨⚪️🔴 #SaintsFC

The agreement has been completed and both players will join Saints in the next hours. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/AYNZv92dzZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2022

Romano adds that the Citizens will have buy-back clauses for both players, the same concept which they agreed with the Saints for the transfer of Lavia.

Edozie joined City's academy from Millwall in 2019 and has since developed into one of the club's most promising talents in their Elite Development Squad.

The winger appeared to be closing in on a permanent move to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen last month, but Southampton have now moved to the front of the queue to land the teenager.

Edozie has impressed at youth level for the Citizens, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists in 60 appearances over the last three seasons.

The Lewisham-born attacker has featured only once for Pep Guardiola's senior team, playing 65 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the 2021 Community Shield.

Edozie won the Premier League 2 title with City's Under-23s team last season and has also gained Champions League experience at youth level.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl barks orders on August 27, 2022 © Reuters

As for Larios, the attack-minded full-back arrived at City in summer of 2020 from Catalan giants Barcelona, where he came through the club's renowned La Masia academy.

The Sevilla-born defender has made a total of 37 youth-team appearances for the Citizens, including nine in the Premier League 2 last season.

This term, Larios has played five times in all tournaments and played the full 90 minutes for the Under-21s who lost 3-2 away at Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Southampton are allegedly closing in on the signing of Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

The 25-year-old's representatives are currently in talks with both clubs, and the Englishman is set to undergo a medical as soon as all parties have reached a full agreement.

As for Man City, they are reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign centre-back Manuel Akanji for a fee in the region of €17.5m (£14.6m).