The Premier League is scrutinising Manchester City’s signing of an academy footballer as young as 11 years old.

The transfer is one of three academy signings made by City that are being reviewed by League officials after concerns were flagged as part of their strict protocol governing academy deals. The boy is a midfielder who was signed from Everton last year. In addition, the recruitment of a 15-year-old midfielder from Wolverhampton

Wanderers – who we are also not naming – is being looked at as part of the new “five-step process” introduced by the League in July last year to ensure moves between Category One academies are above board.

City’s signing of Louie Moulden, a 16-year-old goalkeeper, from Liverpool last summer has also still to be ratified as the League continue with its inquiries.

Moulden is the son of Paul Moulden, the former striker who began his professional career at City.