Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles is on the cusp of sealing his return to Premier League giants Manchester City before immediately joining Queens Park Rangers on loan – despite reported late interest from Wrexham.

Charles came through the youth ranks at City before switching to Sheffield Wednesday, but he’s now on his way back to the Etihad Stadium in a deal that could reach up to £10million.

The 20-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe having racked up 27 league appearances for the Owls alongside cementing his spot as Northern Ireland’s number one.

Football Insider have reported that Charles “has completed his medical at QPR and agreed his move to the Championship club” on loan for next season while Joe Crann of ‘The Wednesday Word’ revealed second tier rivals Wrexham registered their interest.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles. (Photo by Sameer AL-DOUMY / AFP via Getty Images)

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill will welcome the development with Charles continuing to gain senior experience in club football.

Staying at City would have seen Charles likely feature only in cup competitions with Italian superstar Gianluigi Donnarumma number one in both the Premier League and Champions League.

It’s been a big summer for Northern Ireland’s stars with Ethan Galbraith joining Stoke City from Swansea City for an eight-figure fee while Shea Charles is the subject of interest from Leeds United and Crystal Palace.

Young shot-stopper Charles brought his international cap tally to 12 after featuring in both of last month’s friendlies against Guinea and France.

Northern Ireland legend Gareth McAuley, who worked with Charles in his role as U19s manager, tipped him for a bright future – and believes he could be “worth a hell of a lot of money” in the coming years.

"He gives the game a completely different dimension,” McAuley told the Daily Record while encouraging Rangers to make a move. “People have said to me he’s too small, but I say he’s not because he’s so agile.

“He’s got such quick feet that he gets around the goal and his distribution is just on a different level.

"If Pierce stays injury-free, I can see this kid, with his temperament, becoming a goalkeeper worth a hell of a lot of money who plays in some of the world's biggest games.

“He’s that good. I don’t like putting pressure on young players but he’s such a level-headed boy, it won’t faze him...he’s a hell of a player.”