Manchester City will attempt to sign 19-year-old Spanish midfield sensation Tommy Marques from Barcelona this summer.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Tommy Marques is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Citizens are keen on bolstering their first-team squad by signing a holding midfielder in the ongoing transfer window, and they have their sights set on the 19-year-old Barcelona whizkid.

Per TEAMtalk, the reigning La Liga champions have told Marques that he can leave the club in the summer transfer window, with Manchester City holding talks for a deal. However, the report has suggested that the Premier League club would prefer to sign the Spaniard on an initial loan deal before considering a permanent move.

Who is Tommy Marques?

Tommy Marques is the latest promising prospect to emanate from Barcelona’s fabled La Masia division. The teenage sensation has spent his formative years thus far in Catalonia, starting his youth career with Club Esportiu Europa before joining Barcelona in 2015. Since then, he has risen through the ranks at the club before breaking into the first-team squad last season.

The 19-year-old made his senior bow for Barcelona in February this year, and he managed another outing for the first-team squad. However, Marques has been a regular for the reverse side, making 22 appearances for Barcelona Atletic and chipping in with one assist. Meanwhile, his progress and situation at the Catalan club has piqued the attention of several well-known teams.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Manchester City’s interest in Tommy Marques is understandable. The Citizens are scouring the market for a young holding midfielder, as Nico Gonzalez reportedly faces an uncertain future at the Etihad. While City must also replace Rodri as he pushes to join Barcelona, they are in the market for multiple midfielders, despite signing Elliot Anderson.

Marques has thus emerged as a viable target, even though widespread reports have suggested that they are also closing in on signing Ayyoub Bouaddi from LOSC Lille. However, Manchester City are not alone in the race to sign the Spaniard, as per TEAMtalk, he is also a target for Borussia Dortmund and SC Braga.

However, Barcelona and Manchester City share healthy working relations, exchanging several players in the last few years. So, amid talks over a deal for Rodri, it will not be surprising to see Marques moving in the opposite direction, though it remains unclear if Barcelona will facilitate a loan departure. Whatever the arrangement, the TEAMtalk report suggests the Blaugrana will aim to retain control over his future, with a sell-on clause likely to be inserted in a permanent move.