Stockport County set to complete ambitious Man City transfer deal

League One newbies Stockport County have reportedly agreed a permanent deal to bring Manchester City midfielder Lewis Fiorini to Edgeley Park, according to a report from journalist Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider.

The 22-year-old is believed to be seeking a move away from the Etihad Stadium due to his perceived doubt that he can break into the Premier League champions’ first-team.

It could prove to be a smart signing for the Hatters, who saw a number of midfielders depart at the end of the season and are now seeking young, high-potential players that could produce a profit in the future.

Lewis Fiorini set for Stockport County medical ahead of move from Man City

O’Rourke confirmed that Fiorini is set to undergo a medical ahead of his switch to Dave Challinor’s side.

It will be a return to the third tier for Scotland youth international, who spent the end of last season on loan at Charlton Athletic.

That followed a stint with Blackpool in the Championship the season before, a full third-tier campaign with Lincoln City and a season-long loan to Dutch second-tier side NAC Breda in 2020/21.

Despite his relatively extensive history of loan moves, as is often common with the Blues’ youngsters, the report suggests that this move will be a permanent switch.

Lewis Fiorini deal makes sense for Stockport County

Fiorini would serve as a much-needed boost to the Hatters’ midfield numbers after the club’s end-of-season business saw Antoni Sarcevic, Ryan Croasdale, Connor Lemonheigh Evans and Myles Hippolyte depart the club, all of whom operated in midfield areas to varying degrees.

For the most part, that was due to owner Mark Stott’s confirmed new transfer focus on bringing in younger players, who have the potential to develop with the side and could potentially be later sold on for a profit, creating value for the club.

The move for Fiorini certainly fits into that strategy, with the midfielder highly rated in City’s youth ranks – now famous for churning out talented young players – and he also serves to address an area in the pitch that has become a bit lighter in recent weeks.

The midfield starlet has played all across the midfield at his various clubs, from the base to more attacking areas, so it remains to be seen where Challinor sees the player fitting into his central unit, and which player he’ll be directly replacing.