Blues in talks over new deal for Sancho

CITY have opened contract negotiations with Jadon Sancho over a new long-term deal – to fend off interest from Arsenal.

The academy starlet is one of the brightest prospects at the club and has caught the attention of Premier League rivals, hoping to lure him away from the Etihad.

Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for the 16-year-old, who City signed from Watford for £500,000.

Sancho’s suitors are hoping his head will be turned by the chance of firstteam football.

While City’s academy is considered to have some of the best facilities in Europe, it is yet to produce a steady stream of players for the senior side.

But Guardiola is adamant he wants to provide a pathway to the club’s next generation - and keeping hold of Sancho is key to that. The City manager said: “I think they are working on that, definitely. The academy for Manchester City works a lot to have success in the long term. They want to win titles to create a winning mentality because you want that mentality in every single player at 15, 16 and 17.

“They win a lot of titles and a lot of games and that is very good for the process.

“The club has worked a long time to build these players up so one day they can play at the Etihad Stadium.”

Guardiola is eager for City to tie down the futures of their best emerging talent after watching Premier League clubs snap up some of Barcelona’s brightest prospects, such as Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Hector Bellerin.