Bundesliga striker with 31 goals in 25 appearances snubs Manchester City interest to pen new bumper contract | OneFootball

Manchester City have seen their reported interest in one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young strikers pushed back, after the 19-year-old signed a new contract.

Dzenan Pejcinovic of VfL Wolfsburg was first linked with watchful eyes from Etihad Stadium bosses during the summer of 2022, when one German media outlet claimed that Manchester City were following the development of the then-Augsburg forward ‘with great interest’.

In June of this year, and prior to the formal opening of the summer transfer window, it was then claimed once again in Germany that the recently-crowned Premier League champions were trying to sign Pejčinović in the ongoing market.

Interest from the Etihad Stadium is likely to come as no surprise given the player’s outstanding goalscoring record at youth level in Germany, as well as his four senior Bundesliga appearances for VfL Wolfsburg as a reward for his exploits in the Wolfsburg Academy.

The Germany under-19 international scored an outstanding 28 goals in 18 games for the Wolfsburg’s under-19s in the Bundesliga North/North-East division across the 2023/24 season, having previously played in Bayern Munich’s youth academy.

Unfortunately for Manchester City, VfL Wolfsburg have moved quickly to ensure that they do not lose the player’s talents following such an outstanding personal season, with a press release confirming a development this week.

As confirmed by VfL Wolfsburg, Dzenan Pejcinovic has now agreed to a contract extension with the club he has been at since July 2022, penning a new ‘long-term deal’ at the Bundesliga organisation.

VfL sporting director, Sebastian Schindzielorz was keen to praise the development of the player in light of the news as he exclaimed, “Dzenan has developed very well since arriving here in Wolfsburg.

“His goal record in our U19s and in the national set-up, as well as the progress he has shown with the first team, underline that he is a talented and ambitious player.”

Schindzielorz also hinted towards Manchester City’s reported interest which emerged in German media earlier this month, as he continued, “It’s no accident that Dzenan has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs.

“This makes us all the more pleased that we’ll continue our path together in the long term. We believe that Dzenan is nowhere near the end of his development.”

It remains to be seen whether Manchester City will remain in the market for a new up and coming striker to lead their Academy sides at under-19 and Elite Development Squad level, while changes are expected to take place elsewhere in the City Football Academy operation.

As reported in Germany this week, Oliver Reiß will become the new head coach of City’s under-18s, with the 41 year-old leaving his current position at Hertha BSC after 17 years at the club.