Manchester City Defender Snubs Championship Loan For Permanent Exit

Manchester City defender CJ Egan-Riley is set to join forces with Vincent Kompany at Burnley on a permanent deal after opting against a season-long loan to Coventry City. 

Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who has left Belgian side Anderlecht to take up the managerial position at Turf Moor ahead of the new campaign, is set to take teenage defender CJ Egan-Riley from his former club.

Egan-Riley made his senior Manchester City debut against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup in September, as the Premier League champions claimed a 6-1 triumph over the Chairboys.

Manchester City youngster Cj Egan-Riley has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium (Image: PRiME Media Images / Alamy)

The 19-year-old has since featured in the Premier League and Champions League for Pep Guardiola, making appearances against Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle United. 

Primarily a centre-back, Egan-Riley was part of Brian Barry-Murphy’s Premier League 2 title winning side last season and registered 22 league appearances for Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS).

The young centre-half, who also featured in the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League last season, now looks set for regular first-team opportunities, with an imminent transfer to Burnley, according to a report by Alan Nixon. 

Burnley are close to sealing a permanent move for Egan-Riley (Image: PA Images / Alamy)

Egan-Riley was previously expected to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move to Coventry City after emerging as a target for a series of Championship teams, including West Brom. 

However, the England U-19 defender has snubbed a short-term transfer for a permanent move to Turf Moor, where the teen is looking set to become Vincent Kompany’s first signing since he was confirmed the new Burnley head coach. 

According to the latest information provided by Alan Nixon, the Clarets came in ahead of the Midlands outfit and are now expected to seal the deal for the Manchester City defender, who looks set to join Burnley in a permanent move.

Egan-Riley was previously thought to be joining Coventry City on loan (Image: SPP Sport Press Photo / Alamy)

Burnley were relegated from the top-flight on the final day of last season and have since seen a major exodus of big-name players - with Nick Pope and James Tarkowski amongst those who have departed the Lancashire club. 

Egan-Riley isn’t the only Manchester City player expected to be heading to Turf Moor this summer, as reports suggest Kompany wants to sign 20-year-old centre-half Taylor Harwood-Bellis on loan. 

Harwood-Bellis began the previous season with Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht but moved to Stoke City in January, where he made 21 appearances during the second half of the campaign.

Egan-Riley featured in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League for Manchester City last season (Image: PA Images / Alamy)

City could pick-up a total of £750,000 for CJ Egan-Riley’s permanent transfer - an initial £350,000 and a further £400,000 dependent on appearances, with the Blues also believed to have inserted a ‘chunky’ sell-on clause. 

Burnley and Vincent Kompany were also linked with City academy goalkeeper Aro Muric as the Etihad Stadium legend looks to rebuild his squad ahead of the new season - when the Clarets begin the 2022/23 campaign away to Huddersfield Town.