Yep, you heard right.
Sources close to the deal—first reported by Fabrizio Romano—claim that City are inching closer to securing the 17-year-old Rosenborg midfielder, who’s already being hailed as the next big thing out of Scandinavia. And while the transfer fee hasn’t yet been officially announced, reports indicate it could eclipse the record set by Martin Ødegaard’s move to Real Madrid nearly a decade ago. If so, this wouldn’t just be another young signing—it’d be a full-blown statement.
Who is Sverre Nypan?
Unless you're an avid follower of Eliteserien or a Football Manager addict, you'd be forgiven for asking, “Sverre who?” But make no mistake—Nypan is the real deal. Born in December 2006 (feel old yet?), he’s already one of the most exciting prospects in Europe.
Tall, composed, and absurdly mature for his age, Nypan made his Rosenborg debut at just 15. Since then, he’s racked up over 30 senior appearances, playing with the kind of poise you’d expect from someone in their late 20s—not someone still too young to vote. There’s a natural elegance to his game. He glides through midfield with a kind of unbothered authority, threading passes through tight channels and ghosting into dangerous pockets.
“He’s got that thing,” said one scout, reportedly from a top-six Premier League club. “You can’t coach it. He sees things two steps ahead.”
That kind of buzz doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.
Why City Want Him
It’s easy to assume that with Pep Guardiola at the helm and a squad full of global superstars, City wouldn’t bother chasing teenage prospects. But that’s where people get it wrong. City’s transfer strategy has never been just about the now—it’s also about tomorrow.
Just look at how they handled signings like Julian Álvarez, who was acquired and carefully integrated into the team rather than thrown in too early. The same could be said for players like Mateo Kovacic or Josko Gvardiol, who were brought in not just to fill immediate gaps, but to keep the machine purring for seasons to come.
In Nypan, City see a future controller. A player who, in a few years’ time, could slot into the heart of midfield and dictate games with the same authority as someone like Rodri or Gündoğan used to.
And let’s not ignore the obvious: Nypan is Norwegian. That means he shares a passport—and a national camp—with a certain Erling Braut Haaland. You think Pep hasn’t already asked his No. 9 about this kid?
Haaland Connection
Now, let’s not get too carried away. Haaland may not be running the recruitment department at City, but there’s no denying the influence he carries. When a player of his stature tells the higher-ups, “This kid’s legit,” people listen.
More than that, there's a sense of building something long-term. City don’t just want to dominate now—they want to create a spine that can stretch across the next decade. Haaland up top. Nypan in midfield. Rico Lewis at right-back. You start to see the pattern.
And if there’s anyone who understands the pressure and hype that comes with being a teenage Norwegian prodigy, it’s Haaland. The chance to mentor someone like Nypan—especially in a club environment he’s thriving in—could be appealing in ways that go beyond tactics and goals.
Breaking the Bank (Smartly)
While the reported fee hasn’t been officially confirmed, whispers in the Norwegian media suggest it could rise above £15 million with add-ons. That would make Nypan the most expensive Norwegian teenager ever—surpassing Ødegaard’s €4 million move to Madrid back in 2015.
Now, in a market where £100m players are becoming the norm, £15 million might seem like peanuts. But it’s not about the number—it’s about the signal. When a club like City is willing to spend that kind of money on a 17-year-old from a league that rarely makes headlines, it means they see something extraordinary.
This isn’t a YouTube comp impulse buy. This is City being City—getting in early, before the rest of Europe catches up.
Not Just Hype: Nypan’s Stats
Look beyond the YouTube sizzlers and fan-made highlight reels, and the numbers back it up. Nypan has started 10 of Rosenborg’s 11 games this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists from midfield. He averages over 40 passes per game with an accuracy rate hovering around 88%. For a teenager in a senior side, those are grown-man numbers.
But even that doesn’t capture the feel of watching him play. He demands the ball. He plays between the lines. He drives at defenders. And he’s always scanning—constantly looking to move the game forward, not just recycle possession.
In a league not known for giving teenagers too many minutes, Nypan’s emergence has forced Rosenborg’s hand. They haven’t just included him; they’ve built around him.
The Slot Machine Effect
Arne Slot, City’s newest managerial arrival (in the event Pep chooses to move on post-2025), is another factor in all this. Slot has built a reputation as a progressive tactician with an eye for developing youth. While still relatively untested at this level, the Dutchman’s philosophy fits the City model—possession-heavy, press-resistant, and vertical when it matters.
Slot’s presence, whether now or down the line, ensures that Nypan wouldn’t be left to rot on the bench. He’d be developed. Coached. Polished. Just like so many of City’s now-world-class stars once were.
Not Everyone is Convinced
Of course, there’s always the flip side. Plenty of fans are asking whether this is smart investment or another case of City playing rich-kid roulette. After all, the road from “next big thing” to Etihad starter is littered with cautionary tales. Remember Brahim Díaz? Remember Patrick Roberts?
But the landscape has shifted since then. City’s system of loans and development partnerships—especially with clubs like Girona and Lommel SK—means these talents are rarely left to flounder. They’re watched. Coached. Given meaningful minutes in competitive settings. And when they return, they’re ready.
The question isn’t “Will he make it at City?” It’s “How long before he’s running the show?”
Fan Buzz: Cautious Optimism
I dropped into a City supporters forum to gauge reactions. It’s always a mixed bag. One fan wrote, “Sounds like another media darling to me. We need a backup for Rodri, not a kid who’s never played outside Norway.”
Another countered, “You don’t sign Haaland 2.0 types when they’re 23. You get them at 17 and build.”
The truth? Both are valid takes. But this is City—if there’s one thing they’ve proven in the last five years, it’s that they rarely gamble blind.
What Comes Next?
Assuming the deal gets over the line this summer—and all signs point to that happening—Nypan likely won’t be parachuted straight into Pep’s squad. A loan spell, possibly to Girona, could be on the cards. That way, he gets exposure to top-level football without the suffocating pressure of the Premier League.
But don’t be surprised if he makes a few cameos in pre-season. Pep loves to test young players early and gauge their mental sharpness under his high-intensity regime. If Nypan impresses, the path could open quicker than expected.
Final Thought
So here we are again: Manchester City with their eye on a teenage prodigy who might not trend on Twitter yet—but give it time. Sverre Nypan isn’t just another youngster with a big price tag. He’s a calculated investment in the future. A midfielder who’s already showing signs of becoming something special. And if things go to plan, he could be wearing sky blue while still waiting for his first legal pint.
Will he break the record? Maybe. Will he break into the first team? That’s the £15 million question.
One thing’s for sure—City aren't just buying talent anymore. They're buying time, vision, and control of what football looks like five years from now.
So what do you think, City fans? Will he follow Haaland’s meteoric rise, or face Ødegaard’s early struggles before finding his feet?
Either way, the future just got a whole lot more Norwegian.
READ NEXT: Outrageous Fee’: Liverpool Advised to Drop Interest in Wirtz Over £118m Demand"