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Pep Guardiola believes Jack Harrison could be a potential first-team player for Manchester City, and that is why he scuppered Stoke’s bid to sign the England under-21 player .

The Potters had looked to be in the box seat to seal a deal for the MLS starlet, and we can exclusively reveal they offered £7m up front for the New York City winger rising to a potential £11m depending on his success at the bet365 Stadium.

But Manchester City, who effectively own the MLS side, stepped in to sign Stoke-born Harrison on a three-and-a-half year deal for what is thought to be a much lower fee… and then loaned him out to Middlesbrough.

US sports website ESPN are reporting that Guardiola and New York City manager Patrick Vieira believe Harrison can develop into a player capable of competing for a first-team place at the Etihad and decided the risk of allowing him to leave the City Football Group to sign for Stoke was not worth taking.

It is understood Harrison was initially keen to join Stoke, but had no option but to go to Manchester City and then Tony Pulis’s Middlesbrough once Guardiola sanctioned his signing.

Harrison, who can also play as a forward, scored 14 goals in 59 appearances during two seasons in the MLS, and his progress under Vieira earned him an England under-21 call-up earlier this season.