Late Wednesday, Tom Bogert of The Athletic posted an article asseritng that "Manchester City are nearing a deal to sign England Under-17 international Christian McFarlane" from New York City FC. "No deal is done or signed yet, but with NYCFC and Manchester City both under the City Football Group umbrella, it is expected to be completed," Bogert reports.
When it comes to MLS transfer news, Bogert is as good as they get. It's safe to assume that the deal is, indeed, in advanced stages and could be made final soon.
If true, McFarlane will be the fourth NYCFC Academy product to sign with a major European club, following Jack Harrison (Manchester City), Gio Reyna (Borrusia Dortmund), and Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach). All three are regular starters in top-flight football: McFarlane is in good company.
Nick Cushing: He will be in the squad for Miami
But you can understand if New York City fans are feeling a little frosty at hearing the news. McFarlane has been one of the brightest prospects in the club's system ever since he signed a Homegrown contract with the club in 2021 at the tender age of 14, and the left-back is being carefully developed at the Etihad City Football Academy in the rolling hills of Rockland County.
The NYCFC faithful have heard transfer rumors surrounding the defender since last year, when Andrew Leigh wrote in these pages about "a report that McFarlane had visited the Manchester City training grounds and that there were discussions over a potential 2024 move to the club at the top of the City Football Group food chain."
They have also patiently waited to see the England youth international (he was born in Basildon, England, and has 17 caps over three years) take the field for the Senior Team.
Well, that will almost certainly happen tomorrow, when New York City play Inter Miami CF in Ft. Lauderdale — it looks like we will finally see the MLS debut of McFarlane.
Head coach Nick Cushing said as much in the team's pregame press conference on Wednesday afternoon:
