Manchester City beat Arsenal and Aston Villa to signing of Sverre Nypan | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed their fifth signing of the ongoing summer transfer window, with Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan joining the club from Rosenborg.

Nypan made his first team debut for Rosenborg at the age of just 15, and arrives at the Etihad Stadium as predominantly a central midfielder, but with an ability to be deployed in an attacking midfield, out wide, and also as a centre forward such is his in-game intelligence.

Across the course of 70 senior appearances for Rosenborg already in his career, Sverre Nypan amounted 14 goals and 11 assists, and has also represented Norway at every age group from Under-15s up to and including Under-21.

The teenager attracted widespread transfer interest from throughout the top-level European market, believed to be close to joining Aston Villa at one stage earlier this year despite in-person meetings with City and their Premier League rivals Arsenal.

It was those meetings that grabbed the attentions of many earlier this year, as Nypan was spotted alongside his family and super-agent Rafaela Pimenta in the corporate box of Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium for City’s victory over Chelsea.

Ultimately however, it is Manchester City’s project that has proven to be successful in appealing to the player, with the Etihad side sanctioning a £12.5 million fee to Rosenborg in a deal that does not include any add-ons or sell-on clauses.

As confirmed by Manchester City on Thursday evening, the club have officially secured the signing of Sverre Nypan, with the 18-year-old midfielder penning a five-year contract at the club until the summer of 2030.

Reacting to the move, the teenager said: “I am incredibly happy and proud to have joined Manchester City. It’s a dream for any young footballer to become part of this Club and to join such a group of world class talent.

“I am still very young with a lot to learn but the chance to be coached by Pep Guardiola, the best manager in the world, will only help me to become a better player.”

Nypan continued, “There is already a special connection between Norway and Manchester City through Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb, and I am very proud to have become the latest Norwegian player to have joined the club.”

Manchester City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana also commented: “Sverre is an exciting young player that the Club has been monitoring for quite some time now.

“We feel that he already has numerous standout qualities but that at only 18 years of age, he is only going to continue to improve.  “We believe he will be an important asset for Manchester City in the years to come and we will support him every step of the way in his development.”

But what does the immediate term future hold for Sverre Nypan at the Etihad Stadium?

According to the information of the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, the midfielder is expected to go out on loan for the 2025/26 season but no deal has been yet been lined up.

As things stand, Nypan is expected to return for pre-season training with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City first team on Monday 28 July and could yet be involved in their pre-season friendly meeting with Palermo in Italy on Saturday 9 August.

Additional reporting from The Independent further clarifies that should no loan deal be agreed for Sverre Nypan before the conclusion of the summer transfer window, then the player will remain a part of the club’s first-team.

Sverre Nypan becomes the fifth signing of the ongoing summer transfer window following the arrivals of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, versatile winger Rayan Cherki, central midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, and third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

Any remaining business for Manchester City this summer is likely to hinge on outgoings, and there remains decisions to be made over the likes of Ederson, Jack Grealish, James McAtee, and Ilkay Gundogan among several other names facing uncertain futures.