David Ornstein: Man City Win Race for Rising Norwegian Star | OneFootball

Manchester City Eye Norway’s Next Midfield Star: Sverre Nypan Set for Etihad Switch

Norwegian Prodigy on Brink of City Move

Manchester City are on the verge of adding another high-potential gem to their already glittering pipeline of young talent. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Premier League side are close to finalising a deal for Rosenborg’s 18-year-old midfield prodigy, Sverre Nypan.

Subject to the completion of personal terms, this would mark a record-breaking transfer fee for a player from Norway’s top division. The transfer fee has not yet been disclosed, but the magnitude of the deal reflects the scale of belief within City’s scouting and recruitment team. Once completed, Nypan is expected to go out on a season-long loan, allowing him to further his development before integrating into City’s senior ranks.

Rising Above Europe’s Elite Pursuit

City’s decisive late entry into the race for Nypan appears to have tilted the scales. As The Athletic reports, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Girona were previously leading the chase. Villa even made the effort to fly to Norway to pitch their vision to the player and his camp. Arsenal hosted him in London, offering a clear development pathway. However, both clubs missed out after Nypan decided to bide his time until summer.

Photo: IMAGO

Then came City — and their pitch, as well as the appeal of the Etihad project, proved compelling. The report highlights that “City then entered the race, convincing Nypan and his family on a switch to the Etihad Stadium.” That late intervention has proven critical.

A Career Already Beyond His Years

Despite being just 18, Sverre Nypan has already played 70 senior games for Rosenborg. He was introduced to first-team football at an astonishingly young age and has since become a standout in Norway’s Eliteserien.

While he hasn’t yet broken Martin Ødegaard’s record as the youngest player in league history, his trajectory is just as striking. In the 2024 season, he scored eight goals and registered six assists, topping his club’s assist chart.

The Athletic notes: “Direct comparisons with Ødegaard are tempting and not unreasonable, but Nypan is a more all-round midfielder… more of a No 8, less of a No 10, and plays with fewer flourishes.”

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester City fan’s point of view, this is a very exciting signing — even if it won’t pay immediate dividends. Sverre Nypan ticks all the boxes for a long-term midfield asset. With Kevin De Bruyne now left and the club always keen to keep the squad refreshed with young, technically gifted players, this feels like the continuation of a smart succession plan.

There’s a lot to like in Nypan’s profile. He’s already shown he can handle senior football, and the combination of goals and assists in 2024 for Rosenborg proves he can impact games in multiple ways. His ability to operate as a true No 8 fits City’s evolving midfield structure under Guardiola. If you consider how Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb have grown within the system, it’s easy to imagine Nypan becoming the next home-grown success story.

The fact that Arsenal and Villa went all out to land him and still lost out to City says everything about the club’s pull in 2025. CFG’s infrastructure gives City huge flexibility — whether Nypan goes to Girona or another club on loan, he’ll be monitored closely and groomed carefully.