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Manchester City are closing in on a deal for a player dubbed the “new Messi ” in Argentina.

The deal is reported to be for around £16million in South America for the midfielder, who currently plays for Velez Sarsfield.

But Almada would not be brought in to join Pep Guardiola ’s squad if the deal gets completed – he is expected to be loaned out, probably to Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting executives Frederico Varandas and Hugo Viana flew to Manchester last week to meet with City counterparts, partly to discuss the completion of a deal for Felix Correia and also to discuss Almada.

The teenager is an attacking midfielder whose idol is former City star Carlos Tevez .

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He played for Argentina under-20s at the age of 17 and made his debut in Argentina’s Primera Division when he was 17 years and four months old.

He made 21 appearances for Velez last season, scoring four times

The player is just 5ft5ins but has been picked out as one of the next generation of world stars.

Almada’s current release clause is around £12.5million, but he is close to signing a new deal at Velez, so it seems City have been prepared to up the amount to land the talented youngster.