Liverpool lead chase for Parker as rivals circle Man City's academy trio

Manchester City are working to hold on to three of their most coveted academy prospects after Liverpool, and clubs from abroad, identified the teenagers as summer targets.

Xavier Parker, 16, is the subject of a firm approach from Liverpool, who are leading the chase for the forward. Parker joined City from West Ham just two years ago and featured regularly for the Under-18s last season despite his age. His rapid rise has now attracted renewed interest from rival clubs.

Ryan McAidoo and Reigan Heskey have drawn attention from both Premier League sides and clubs overseas. McAidoo, 18, made his senior debut against Exeter City in the FA Cup in January, scoring on his first appearance and earning a second outing against Salford City. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak singled him out at the end of the season as the most exciting player in City’s academy, and he is under contract until 2030.

Heskey, also 18, is the son of former England striker Emile and younger brother of Jaden, a midfielder who spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. An explosive winger, Heskey scored the winning goal in the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United in May and made his senior debut in the closing minutes of City’s Carabao Cup victory at Huddersfield in September.

The departures, should they happen, would represent significant losses for the City Football Academy. The club is actively working to convince all three players to remain, aware that retaining homegrown talent carries long-term value even when it attracts less attention than incoming signings.

The situation unfolds as City also move to strengthen their pipeline from outside. The club has signed Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes for £21 million and will spend £12.5 million to bring in 16-year-old Jeremy Monga.

Several academy players are expected to be handed opportunities to impress new head coach Enzo Maresca during pre-season. City return to training on 20 July before travelling to Asia for three matches, with many senior internationals still resting following the World Cup.