Belgian Teenage Sensation Snubs Man City And Chelsea But They Will Soon Have The Chance To Sign Him For £60M

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Nathan De Cat rejected the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund to secure a €20m (£17m) move to Hoffenheim, according to reports in the German media.

Sports picture (via Bulinews.com) claim that the Belgian international had several other offers to leave Anderlecht before the Bundesliga side snapped him up.

De Cat has, though, given himself a way out of Hoffenheim if he does catch the eye playing for the German club next season.

It is believed that a release clause worth €70m (£60m) has been inserted into his contract, which becomes active this time next year.

Why were Man City interested in De Cat?

The midfielder played 46 times for Anderlecht last season despite being just 17 years of age. He only turned 18 on July 19th.

De Cat’s displays were so impressive that he was handed his first senior cap for Belgium back in March, playing the last 20 minutes of a friendly win against the United States.

While he didn’t make the final 26-man squad for the World Cup, he is likely to play a prominent role going forward for his country, with a new generation of young Belgians coming through the ranks.

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City could be set to sign another young midfielder

While any move for De Cat is likely to be delayed for at least twelve months, it appears as if Director of Football Hugo Viana is stepping up the club’s pursuit of Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Moroccan international did go to the World Cup, unlike De Cat, and he turned heads with his performances during his time in North America, despite only being 18.

Lille are said to be demanding €100m (£85m) to sell Bouaddi, and it has been reported that City are close to agreeing a fee for the player.

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