Manchester City keen on €20 million midfielder tipped as next Lucas Bergvall | OneFootball

As officials within the Etihad go in search of first-team talent, attentions have seemingly centred on an excitement prospect emerging from Scandinavia this summer.

Manchester City’s recruitment focus may primarily centre around strengthening Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad ahead of the new season, but behind the scenes, the Premier League giants continue to monitor emerging youth talents across Europe.

As part of their long-standing strategy of acquiring and developing top-tier youth prospects, City have seemingly turned their attention once more to Scandinavia – a region that has quietly become a goldmine for elite-level talent.

City Football Group’s extensive scouting operation across Europe has already proven fruitful in recent seasons, with the club either signing or showing interest in some of the brightest teenage talents from the region, with a deal intensifying for Norwegian talent Sverre Nypan.

And that trend appears to include the rapidly rising name of Matias Siltanen, who is already making waves in Sweden despite only turning 18 earlier this year. With youth development a cornerstone of City’s long-term strategy, adding another Scandinavian prospect could bolster both their own ranks and their wider football group’s network of clubs.

According to the information of Finnish outlet Italehti, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City could make a move for Djurgårdens IF’s Siltanen amid growing interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League.

The 18-year-old joined Djurgårdens IF in January for around €1 million despite English top-flight interest at the time, including from the Etihad Stadium, and his price tag is now said to have increased to as high as €20 million alongside comparisons to Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall.

Siltanen is known for his composure and technical quality in tight spaces, drawing attention for mature performances in Sweden’s top division, and standing out in a competitive midfield at Djurgårdens.

The Finnish teenager has been likened to Tottenham’s Bergvall for both his profile and rapid trajectory – qualities that make him a clear target for top European sides with strong development programmes.

While City have yet to formalise interest with an offer, the presence of other Premier League sides – alongside those across Europe – could see a move may hinge on both the Etihad club’s willingness to match the current valuation and the player’s appetite for a new challenge so soon after his last transfer.

From City’s perspective, a potential move for Siltanen could also align with their preference for integrating young talent gradually – often through initial involvement at sister clubs across the City Football Group. Clubs such as Girona, Lommel, and Troyes have previously offered platforms for development prior to players stepping up to elite levels.

With a price tag as high as €20 million, however, City would need to be convinced of the player’s long-term ceiling – especially when measured against homegrown options and other midfield targets in the market.

For now, the situation remains one to watch as the transfer window progresses, with City’s recruitment team keeping their options open in multiple positions and age brackets.