Report: Manchester City made illegal payment to Jadon Sancho's agent

Manchester City have been accused of making an illegal payment to Jadon Sancho's agent when the winger was 14 years old, according to German outlet Der Spiegel.

The Premier League side is believed to have concealed a £200,000 payment to agent Emeka Obasi, and it offered him a role as a scout upon signing Sancho from Watford in 2015. Obasi was contracted to scout players in Central and South America, but Der Spiegel reports the payment was in relation to Sancho's transfer.

Sancho, who was sold to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, was not permitted to have an agent at the time of his arrival because Football Association rules state that young players are prohibited from having such representation until they turn 16.

City are also accused of violating rules related to inducement payments, which are prohibited to players under 16. Der Spiegel reports that the club wrote to Sancho's father and disclosed how much it was willing to pay the English player when he turned professional.

Der Spiegel published an email from a City lawyer, in which he outlined his concern that the letter to Sancho's father could be regarded as the club's attempt to make an illegal inducement payment.

The club, which has been the subject of several recent bombshell reports from Der Spiegel, refused to comment on the latest revelation.

A statement from City, courtesy of BBC Sport, read: "The attempt to damage our reputation is organized and clear.

"We will not be providing any comment on out-of-context materials purported to have been hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people."