Burnley and Southampton are “pursuing” Manchester City defender

admin | November 29, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The young player from Manchester City, Jalel Katongo, is reportedly being eyed by Burnley and Southampton for a loan this season.

After a two-season absence, the 19-year-old is enjoying a brief stint away from the Etihad at League One team Peterborough United, who are vying for promotion to the Championship.

Although Darren Ferguson, the manager, initially brought Katango to the Weston Homes Stadium to play in his natural position of center back, the player has been used in midfield.

The defender, who made his debut for the England Under-20s in October of this year, has already made seven appearances in the third division. He is currently a member of that team as well.

Several Premier League and Championship teams are keeping an eye on Katongo’s performance in League One this season, according to transfer expert Alan Nixon.

According to the report, Burnley, a premier league newcomer, is reportedly interested in the defender and may try to sign him in the summer transfer window or in January.

It’s known that Under-20 international Katongo is admired by Man City legend and Clarets manager Vincent Kompany, who sees the center-back as a possible “long-term project.”

Since the start of the season, the Turf Moor team has relied on young players in their backfield, with Jordan Beyer and Dara O’Shea forming a solid center-back duo in recent games.

Since returning to the Premier League as Championship winners in August, the Clarets have given up an incredible 32 goals in 13 games, including two in Saturday’s loss to West Ham United. As a result, Kompany’s team has now lost seven straight at home.

It’s also thought that Southampton, a team in the lower division, is keeping an eye on Katongo’s development. Southampton is trying to get out of the second division as soon as possible after being demoted from the top flight in 2022–2023.

Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Citizens and the South Coast club get along well; recent arrivals at St Mary’s from the Champions League holders include Gavin Bazunu, Shea Charles, and Samuel Edozie.

In order to get ready for life in the Championship, Southampton reorganized their football operations over the summer and hired transfer manager Jason Wilcox, who left Man City to join the Saints.

In order to sell the defender to a potential buyer during the campaign, it is still unclear if the Citizens would be willing to discontinue Katongo’s loan at Peterborough in the New Year.

When Burnley welcomes fellow struggling team Sheffield United to Turf Moor on Saturday in the Premier League, they will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak in all competitions.