Man City owners alerted as promising star admits desire to play for Liverpool

Manchester City’s owners could be on red alert after 20-year-old New York City winger Julian Fernandez admitted he wants to play for Liverpool. The reigning Premier League champions and the MLS giants are both owned by the same company, City Football Group.

City’s owners, who come under the Abu Dhabi United Group umbrella, acquired New York City in May 2013, almost five year after their purchase of the English club.

They currently oversee 13 clubs across the world, including Girona, Mumbai City and Melbourne City.

City sometimes work with their sister clubs, with the Citizens previously selling Yangel Herrera to Girona, before sending Yan Couto on loan to the Spanish team.

And City Football Group may be keen for the best player at their clubs across the world to favour a move to the Etihad Stadium should they be deemed good enough to play in the Premier League.

But Fernandez appeared to have no loyalties towards the eight-time Premier League champions when he exclaimed during a university event: “Playing in Europe, especially for Liverpool, is my dream.”

Fernandez, who was born in Buenos Aires, joined New York City in the summer of 2023 after progressing through the Velez Sarsfield academy in Argentina.

The attacker has made 33 appearances for his current employers, 29 of which have come in the MLS. And he has bagged four goals and three assists. He has also been capped six times by the Argentina under-20s and featured at last year’s South American Youth Football Championship.

After completing a move to the United States, Fernandez explained: “It’s one of the biggest clubs in Major League Soccer and a very important step in my career. I will continue to work hard every day to improve and help the team.”

And the club’s sporting director David Lee said: “Julian is a player we have followed for a number of years and was a priority target for us in this transfer window.

“He is a dynamic attacking player with high potential, who despite being only 19 years old, has already accumulated significant professional experience in domestic and international competition.

“He is an attack-minded winger who can also play centrally and has an excellent left foot, is quick, skilful and good in one versus one situations.

“His acquisition will bring more depth and competition to our roster. Julian is the latest highly-rated young talent to choose our club as the next stage in their career.”