Manchester City have reportedly been approached by Premier League clubs to sign teenage left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand on loan.
The 19-year-old has spent the last three years with City's academy since joining from West Ham United in 2019, and has become a key player for the Under-18s and Under-23s.
Wilson-Esbrand made 20 youth appearances in all competitions last season, and helped City's Under-23s secure the Premier League 2 title.
The left-back's only senior appearance for the Citizens came in September last year when Pep Guardiola handed the youngster his debut in the 6-1 EFL Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
However, Wilson-Esbrand has since been on City's pre-season tour of the USA this summer and he produced an assured display at left-back for 76 minutes in their 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on Sunday – a game which saw summer signing Erling Braut Haaland score on his debut for the club.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Premier League clubs have approached Man City over the possibility of taking Wilson-Esbrand on loan this season.
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However, Romano claims that the Citizens currently have no plans to let the teenager leave the club as they plan to keep him as a back-up option behind Joao Cancelo.
Wilson-Esbrand is highly rated by Guardiola and academy coach Jason Wilcox regards the left-back as a key asset for the youth sides this campaign.
Guardiola was impressed with Wilson-Esbrand's performance in their win over Bayern and believes the defender has "many years" ahead of him in the first team if he remains fit, having previously struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
"The problem with Josh is the last two years he was injured. He had a problem with the knee and muscular issue, but we believe he has the potential," Guardiola told mancity.com.
"He's aggressive to win the duels and with the ball is so clever, he [is] a good one-on-one defender and doesn't feel the pressure with the ball.
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"Today was an example of how our back four were pressed but didn't lose much of the ball. He did a really good game. If we can control his injuries, we will have a full-back for many years."
The Citizens have already allowed a number of youngster leave the club this summer, with Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Darko Gyabi, CJ Egan Riley and Arijanet Muric all departing on permanent deals.
City supporters could, however, be seeing more of Wilson-Esbrand in the senior team this season, especially if the club are unable to find a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has completed his £32m move to Arsenal.
The Premier League champions have identified Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella as their primary left-back target, but negotiations are thought to have hit a stumbling block with the Seagulls demanding a figure in excess of £50m for the Spaniard.
City could turn their attention to Stuttgart left-back Borna Sosa if they fail in their pursuit for Cucurella, who is allegedly disappointed with the asking price put on his head by Brighton.
Oliver Thomas
