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Gabriel Jesus, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in final three for Golden Boy award

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus
Image: Gabriel Jesus has impressed since he joined Manchester City in January

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has been named in the final three for the Golden Boy award alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

The award, run by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, is presented to Europe's most impressive footballer under the age of 21 and counts Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Paul Pogba among its previous winners.

Marcus Rashford, who finished runner-up last year to Swansea's on-loan midfielder Renato Sanches, had been nominated again in the original 24-man shortlist but failed to make the final three this time around.

12/09/17 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE. CELTIC v PSG. CELTIC PARK - GLASGOW. PSG's Kylian Mbappe celebrates his goal
Image: Kylian Mbappe has been named in the final three for the Golden Boy award

There were six English nominees originally named in the shortlist, with Liverpool's Dominic Solanke and Joe Gomez, Everton's Dominic Calvin-Lewin, Kyle Walker-Peters of Tottenham and West Ham's Reece Oxford all included alongside Rashford.

Jesus has been prolific since joining City from Palmeiras in January and has already scored eight goals in all competitions this season.

Ousmane Dembele injured his thigh in Barcelona's win at Getafe
Image: Ousmane Dembele is up for the Golden Boy award

However, the 20-year-old faces stern competition for the honour from French internationals Mbappe and Dembele.

Mbappe burst onto the scene last season, helping Monaco win Ligue 1 and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League before the 18-year-old sealed an initial summer loan switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

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Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Burton
Image: Marcus Rashford finished runner-up for the Golden Boy award last year

Dembele, currently out injured with a ruptured tendon in his left thigh, impressed for Borussia Dortmund last year before completing a £97m move to Barcelona following Neymar's sale to PSG.

The winner will be decided by a panel of 30 journalists and will be revealed on October 23.

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