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Rony Lopes is set to become the latest Manchester City youngster to leave on loan after Manuel Pellegrini admitted he would struggle to get games at the Etihad.

The 19-year-old made his first team debut over two-and-a-half years ago under Robert Mancini. He also featured under the current Blues boss before going on loan to Lille last season.

He featured for City in summer, scoring in the win over Vietnam.

Along with Jason Denayer and Kelechi Iheanacho, it was announced at City’s season launch event that Lopes had been promoted to the first team squad for this campaign.

But the Portuguese Under-20 international failed to make the matchday squads against West Brom and Chelsea, and Pellegrini cannot see him getting regular football with City yet.

“I think that Marcos is another player that improved a lot playing one season on loan in France,” he said.

“Maybe he will go on loan again because it’s very difficult in him with that position with David [Silva], with Samir Nasri to play games.

“I think that he’s a very young player, just 19-years-old and it’s better for him to go on loan.”

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City will hope to extend the youngster’s contract before sending him on loan. His current deal expires next summer.

Lopes’ chance for football at City will go down further if Kevin De Bruyne signs.

Pellegrini once again refused to comment on reports the Blues are closing on a deal.