CONFIRMED: Man City to complete striker signing

Robin Bairner

• 25 Oct 2024 18:00 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester City will completed the transfer of striker Michael Noonan from League of Ireland outfit St Patrick’s Athletic imminently.

The Ireland U17 star is poised to land a dream move to the Etihad Stadium on a pre-contract agreement, according to the Irish Independent.

However, there are doubts over when and how the transfer will take place, with the Premier League side unable to complete a January transfer for the 16-year-old striker due to Brexit legislation. Instead, City will have to wait until Noonan turns 18 in the summer of 2026 before he can join up with Pep Guardiola’s side.

It is a deal that replicates the move that saw Gavin Bazunu join Man City in 2018, which cost €400,000.

Noonan has played one fixture in the League of Ireland, coming off the bench for St Pat’s in a 3-1 win over Bohemians earlier this month, while he has been named among the substitutes regularly in recent matches.

It is claimed that Man City have beaten off competition from numerous big clubs to sign the forward.

City win one race but lose another

While City have won the race for Noonan, they could miss out on another St Pat’s hot prospect in the form of Mason Melia.

Melia appears destined to complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports in Ireland.

The centre-forward is further along in his development, having played 41 League of Ireland matches for St Pat’s, scoring eight goals in the process.

Aged 17, he is poised to complete a move to the Premier League in January 2026, with his 18th birthday in September 2025.

St Pat’s, meanwhile, stand to receive a huge windfall for both players and will very likely have the opportunity to enjoy them for another year before the big Premier League sides take them under their wing.