Manchester City reportedly close to sign Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan

Manchester City is reportedly on the verge of securing a significant agreement to sign Sverre Nypan, the promising 18-year-old midfielder from Rosenborg. According to Jordan Campbell and David Ornstein from The Athletic, City has emerged as the frontrunner in a crowded race for the Norwegian talent. Should personal terms be finalized, the transfer fee is set to establish a new record for a player moving directly from the Norwegian league. Nypan's immediate future is expected to involve a season-long loan to continue his development.

Interestingly, Manchester City was not initially among the clubs pursuing Nypan in January, when several other European teams, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, and even Girona (another club under the City Football Group umbrella), were actively trying to sign the Norway youth international. Both Arsenal and Villa made strong efforts, with Arsenal hosting Nypan and Villa traveling to Norway to present their vision, but neither could secure his signature. City's late entry into the race ultimately proved decisive, as they successfully convinced Nypan and his family about a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Nypan has already accumulated significant senior experience, having played 70 first-team games for Rosenborg. His current club sits third in the 2025 Eliteserien after 11 matches, and Nypan is already a Norway Under-21 international. His rapid rise has captivated national interest, particularly after he scored eight goals and provided a team-leading six assists for Rosenborg during the 2024 season.

Born and raised in Trondheim, Nypan came through the local academy system before joining Rosenborg, the city's largest and historically most successful club, in 2022. He began training with their first team at just 14 years old and became a Norway Under-21 international a year later. While direct comparisons with Martin Odegaard are tempting due to their shared nationality and prodigious talent, Nypan is described as a more all-round midfielder. He excels in passing, carrying the ball, creating chances, and scoring goals, often covering more areas of the pitch as a No. 8 rather than a traditional No. 10, playing with a less flamboyant style. Following Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and Antonio Nusa, Nypan is considered another "mighty prospect" emerging from Norway.