Manchester City Transfer News: Latest on Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey Rumours

Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention to Belgium, as the club sent scouts to watch talented Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans and is also said to be keeping an eye on Chelsea target Leon Bailey of Racing Genk.

Per Purplespirit (h/t Sport Witness), City watched Tielemans in action in the UEFA Europa League match against FK Qabala. Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Newcastle United were reportedly also in attendance.

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The 19-year-old midfielder has long been touted as Belgium's next big thing, making his debut for Anderlecht in 2013. As a 16-year-old, he held his own in the UEFA Champions League against the likes of Olympiacos, and he's been on the list of the hottest prospects in football ever since.

Transfer speculation has been almost constant, but the youngster has decided to continue his development with Anderlecht, who have an excellent reputation when it comes to nurturing talent. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Tielemans started his career as a holding midfielder and deep-lying playmaker, but Anderlecht have moved him further up the pitch over the years to take advantage of his scoring ability and long-range shooting.

He shares many of the same traits that made Paul Pogba such a wanted man, displaying similar raw strength on the ball and technical ability. His maturity and coolness with the ball are impressive for such a young player and logical results of him starting in midfield at the age of 16.

He performed well against Qabala but unfortunately picked up an injury, which will sideline him for the foreseeable future, per Het Laatste Nieuws' Kristof Terreur:

"

Youri Tielemans (ankle injury) will be out for several weeks.

— Kristof Terreur  (@HLNinEngeland) September 16, 2016"

The Belgian has barely been bothered by injuries, and this latest setback shouldn't have any impact on his value. Tielemans has been steadily progressing for years now, and while he's yet to give any indication he wants to leave Anderlecht anytime soon, he'll be a popular target once that changes.

He's playing regular minutes in Brussels as part of a talented midfield that also features Leander Dendoncker and Nicolae Stanciu, which further complicates a move. Anderlecht have the depth to deal with a potential transfer, but Tielemans is not expected to push for a move until he feels he's ready.

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Meanwhile, the Daily Star's Paul Brown reports the Citizens and Chelsea will do battle over Bailey, who has started the 2016-17 campaign in tremendous form for Genk after winning Belgium's Young Player of the Year award last season.

The Jamaican-born winger, who signed a new contract just before summer, has shown his quality in Europe this season, as shared by the Europa League's official Twitter account:

One of those goals was an absolute stunner, one the 19-year-old was quite proud of:

Bailey is extremely athletic and technically gifted, and he has a keen eye for goal and a killer left foot. His raw speed has made him a nightmare to defend in the Belgian top division, and his quality has carried over to the Europa League without an issue.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Bailey is ambitious―he's yet to play for Jamaica's senior team because he's keeping his options open and turned down a host of top clubs to sign for Genk in search of regular playing time―and Benefoot's Luke Harvey believes this will be his final season in Belgium.

He's shown plenty of patience and great decision-making in his career so far, so don't be surprised to see him move to a slightly bigger club, where he'll still get to play, as opposed to a giant like Chelsea or City.