Arzani poised for Mooy-style move to Manchester City

Australian football’s golden boy Daniel Arzani has been linked with an imminent Aaron Mooy-style move to Manchester City.

The Melbourne City teenager, whose soaring stocks were further enhanced with eye-catching cameo roles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is according to UK sources on the cusp of inking a three-year deal with Melbourne’s parent club.

It’s believed, as was the case with fellow Socceroo Mooy, Arzani will immediately be loaned out.

In his case it would be either to City Football Group satellite club NAC Breda in Holland or possibly Club Brugge in Belgium.

Another option would be a loan straight back to Melbourne City, where coach Warren Joyce is understood to be keen for Arzani to stay another season to continue his development.

Arzani stated after Australia’s World Cup exit that he was heading directly to London to discuss his future with UK-based Australian agent Frank Trimboli.

If the move proceeds, it’s understood City will receive a fee in the region of $500,000 for the rising star.

Manchester City will bank on Arzani making an impact in Europe - much as Mooy did initially on loan at Huddersfield - before on-selling him for a healthy profit over several million dollars.

In Mooy’s case, City pocketed $18 million after selling the midfielder to the Terriers after a minimal investment on their behalf in spiriting him away from Australia.

Arzani’s future has been the subject of intense speculation since he lit up the A-League at the back end of last season and forcing his way into Bert van Marwijk’s World Cup calculations.

Despite Joyce's preference for him to stay another season in Australia, the exciting game-breaker was categorical while on Socceroos duty in Russia that he had played his last game in the A-League.

The World Game sought comment from Arzani’s management team on Thursday night.