Ligue 1 club submit offer for Manchester City centre-back | OneFootball

Manchester City have received opening offers from clubs in both Scotland and France for highly-rated centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, according to reports.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise through the City ranks in recent seasons, becoming one of the most talked-about prospects within the club’s academy system.

After signing his first professional contract with the then-Premier League champions in July 2023, Simpson-Pusey was handed the captain’s armband at Under-18 level, leading the team to FA Youth Cup triumph while also featuring prominently in the UEFA Youth League.

That development year was rewarded with a first-team call-up for Manchester City’s 2024 pre-season tour, where the teenage centre-back was given opportunities against top-level opposition including Celtic and AC Milan.

Simpson-Pusey then made his senior debut not long after against Tottenham Hotspur in late October, and within just 10 days, he had also earned starts in both the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League, against Sporting CP and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.

Following his exposure to senior football, Simpson-Pusey returned to City’s Elite Development Squad where he starred throughout the Premier League 2 campaign. His leadership and composure earned him the 2024/25 Premier League 2 Player of the Season award, becoming the first defender to claim the honour.

Now, according to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, both Celtic and Strasbourg have submitted offers to Manchester City for their highly-rated central defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

It is claimed that the Scottish and French clubs are among ‘multiple teams’ trying to sign the 19-year-old defender permanently or on loan this summer, while City are yet to make a decision on whether to let Simpson-Pusey leave the club.

A potential move would align closely with Simpson-Pusey’s own comments earlier this year, when he admitted he was ready to challenge himself at senior level on a more consistent basis.

“I feel I’ve done what I’ve needed to with the U21s. I just want to play first-team football,” he said at the end of last season. “I guess we’ll see [if he needs to leave Manchester City]… I’m definitely ready.”

While a decision from Manchester City is still pending, the profile of interest highlights Simpson-Pusey’s growing reputation across Europe. A permanent exit would mark a significant step in the teenager’s career, but a loan move remains a highly plausible outcome.

Should he depart on loan, a move to Strasbourg would offer top-flight experience in France’s Ligue 1 under Chelsea’s ownership group, while a transfer to Celtic would provide exposure to a top league in the UK.

Equally, staying at the Etihad Stadium could remain an option should Pep Guardiola opt to integrate him into the first-team squad rotation following the club’s defensive reshuffle this summer.