Manchester City in advanced talks to sign 16-year-old St Patrick’s Athletic star

The Dublin native became the club's youngest-ever senior starter earlier this season.

Noonan has already scored three goals in his first five professional appearances for St Pat's and has scored ten in sixteen for Ireland's youth teams.

According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Noonan wants the move and the deal is close to being finalised.

If the transfer goes through, the youngster is expected to initially join City's U18 team.

Noonan was one of the stars of St Pats' run to Leinster Senior Cup victory this season, scoring two goals in the semi-final against Maynooth before being involved in both goals in the 2-1 final victory over St. Mochta's.

Those impressive performances earned him his League of Ireland debut earlier this week as Stephen Kenny's side beat Bohemians 3-1 at Dalymount Park.

As a result of Brexit, Noonan cannot sign for any UK clubs until he turns 18 but Manchester City already seem to be laying the foundations for the young Irishman to join the ranks of the Premier League champions.

Another St Pat's prodigy, Mason Melia, was also rumoured to be of interest to City and, according to The Irish Sun, travelled to Manchester for a trial last summer.

Man City boast a world-class academy that regularly produces top-notch prospects.

Phil Foden spearheaded the youth revolution when he broke into the first team in 2017, with Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis, and others following in his footsteps.