Marcos Lopes has been compared by Rene Girard to James Rodríguez.

James left Monaco on a transfer to Real Madrid for £80 million and Lille believes the Brazillian-born Portugues Lopes has some of the same qualities.

"Our gazes fell on Lopes," Girard told RMC Sport. "City needed to loan out this young Portuguese lad.

"He comes having participated in this year's Under-19 European Championship, where Portugal were beaten by Germany in the final.

"He has a great left-foot and is a good passer. If I was to compare him in style to anyone, I would say that James Rodriguez and him share plenty of similarities.

"What he brings us is bundles of technique. He is young and ambitious. After a discussion with their reserves coach Patrick Vieira, Man City decided that Lille would be an ideal place for him to grow further as a player."

Lopes was named Man City's 12-13 academy player of the year.