€12 million market value
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Manchester City continues their summer spending spree, expanding their recruitment efforts to Norway. The former English champions have officially signed Sverre Nypan, a standout player from Rosenborg, for a fee around €15 million. The 18-year-old midfielder currently holds a market value of €12 million, making him the most valuable player in the Norwegian top division.
Who else showed interest in Sverre Nypan?
Aston Villa was previously in the lead to secure Nypan’s signature. As reported by The Athletic, Nypan held discussions with the Birmingham club last winter before opting to remain in the Eliteserien. Villa aimed to finalize personal terms with him and complete the transfer this summer. Arsenal also expressed interest, contemplating Nypan in a supporting role to Martin Ødegaard as a potential backup playmaker in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
With a market value of €12 million, Nypan is seen as one of Europe’s most promising talents. He debuted in the Norwegian league at just 15 years old in 2022, joining an exclusive club of only six players who competed at a younger age, the youngest being Ødegaard. In May 2023, Nypan became the youngest player to score in a league match for Rosenborg at the age of 16 years and 145 days. This raises questions about what kind of prospect Manchester City is acquiring and how high his potential could reach. With insights from Norwegian experts, we aim to explore these questions further.
What kind of player is Sverre Nypan?
Nypan has made over 70 first-team appearances for Rosenborg and boasts an impressive record for a teenager. He has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists, averaging a goal or assist every 178 minutes in the league—a remarkable feat for a central midfielder. “Nypan is a central/offensive midfielder with an exceptionally high football IQ for his age,” noted Bastian Schmitz, Market Value admin for Norway. “He is two-footed, creative, and has excellent passing skills, often delivering smart passes. His ball control is solid, and he possesses a great work rate.”
At his young age, Nypan’s primary position remains somewhat fluid. He has been deployed in various roles, with his coach indicating, “This season, he has played as a ‘false 9’ and as an attacking midfielder; however, he functions best in a deeper role. His physical development is ongoing, and early season growth pains affected his performance consistency.” According to Transfermarkt, Nypan has featured 44 times as a central midfielder, seven as a center-forward, and four as an attacking midfielder. His future at Manchester City will likely hinge on where Pep Guardiola sees a need for reinforcement in his squad.
Following in the footsteps of Haaland and Ødegaard?
Although many Premier League fans may not be familiar with Nypan yet, it’s not surprising that top English clubs are vying for another promising prospect from Norway. The country has recently become a breeding ground for exceptional talent, evident in the success stories populating the English top tier. Whether it’s Sander Berge at Fulham, Wolves’ forward Jørgen Strand Larsen, the aforementioned Ødegaard at Arsenal, or Manchester City’s own Erling Haaland, Nypan appears to be yet another valuable addition to Norway’s growing list of world-class players.
