Get the day's biggest City stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Valencia are eyeing up young Manchester City winger Brandon Barker for a loan move in January.

The Spanish club’s assistant manager is said to be behind the plot to lift the exciting winger, who turned 19 last week, for a spell in La Liga.

Neville was in the crowd at the Academy Stadium last season when Barker scored a marvellous hat-trick in the 8-2 FA Youth Cup demolition of Coventry.

He was there partly because his son was a ballboy – the young Neville was in the City academy under-13 team at the time, but is now at Valencia with his dad.

But Barker impressed everyone who watched him last season, and Leeds were among the clubs who made an abortive attempt to sign him in the summer.

The former Droylsden Juniors player, however, has done a lot of work with the first team this season, and has been on the bench during the Blues’ injury crisis.

Whether City will allow Barker to go on loan, and to a Spanish club, remains to be seen.

(Image: Jen Urwin)

More Manchester City news

Barker signed a new five-year deal with City in August, a clear statement of the club’s intentions.

If anything, he needs a spell in English football – he has oodles of skill and a turn of pace, but needs to add more strength to his game.

Whether another season playing for the elite development squad, and frequently training with the first team, is the way forward for the local boy, is a decision to be taken by Manuel Pellegrini in consultation with EDS coach Patrick Vieira.