When chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke of the successes of Manchester City’s academy production line, he focussed on Phil Foden and three other first team-ready players.
But he will know more than anyone of the revenue-generating power of academy and scouting network for players who will never even reach the first team.
City have made a name for themselves in signing the world’s best young talent, giving them first team opportunities through their network of sister and feeder clubs, and selling them on for profit.
Some players might come back to haunt them, and others might flop, however there are enough talents out on loan in Europe and beyond making a name for themselves – and making City more money in the process.
The City Football Academy, with the help of the City Football Group network, have raised in excess of £150m in the last five years alone through player sales – most of whom never even played for the Blues.
So as City look to buy a big-name striker this summer, they might decide that now is the time to cash in on some more of those talented loanees to offset what could be another expensive summer at the Etihad. Harry Kane and Erling Haaland are both expected to cost at least £100m.
If they play their cards right, City could potentially raise over £70m through player sales alone – and that’s without selling or swapping any current first-team players.
Angelino – £15m
Before we get into the players City could sell, here’s one who has been sold already. Angelino played enough games for RB Leipzig this season to trigger a £15m permanent move to end his pretty underwhelming second spell at the club.
It’s a move that suited all parties, and City have £15m extra in the bank to play with this summer, having made a profit on Angelino.
Yangel Herrera – £10-15m
On loan at Granada this season, and impressing in the process, the Spanish side reportedly have an option to buy him permanently. There is also said to be interest growing in Europe and back in the Premier League, with City viewing the defensive midfielder in a similar bracket to Douglas Luiz, who joined Aston Villa for £15m.
Pedro Porro – around £10m
Right-back Porro broke into the Spain squad this season, but injury has ruled him out of the Euros. Sporting have Porro on loan for another year, with an option to buy at the end of it.
He seems happy in Portugal, and is playing well for the new Primeira Liga champions, so maybe City could persuade them to make that move permanent this summer. He was bought for around £10m, so you’d expect any agreed sale price would make City a profit.
Lukas Nmecha – £15m
Striker Nmecha flourished under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht this season, scoring 21 times in 41 appearances.
Anderlecht want to sign him permanently, but Kompany has warned that City won’t give them any gifts as they appear to be looking to sell the German under-21 international for as much as possible.
Reports say the highest Anderlecht can go is €20m, and they’re not confident of winning any bidding wars, so maybe that will be the base price Nmecha could be expected to raise.
Jack Harrison – £10m
A key part of Leeds’ fine first season back in the Premier League, Harrison is happy at Elland Road and Marcelo Bielsa’s men have an option to buy him permanently this summer.
His form might have alerted others to enquire, but if Leeds have first refusal, it could see a reported £10m fee get added to City’s kitty. Handy.
Jayden Braaf – £9m
Braaf is an exciting prospect, but wanted more than just academy football at City, so headed to Serie A in January with Udinese.
He found game time limited there, but scored his first senior goal recently and impressed in the flashes he was given for the first team. Injury has curtailed his season, but if Udinese saw enough to trigger their purchase option in his loan, it could generate City around £9m.
Other players who could be sold
The players above could get City at least £70m, and that figure could be increased further with a number of other players who are nearing the end of their City contracts and are unlikely to get extensions.
Patrick Roberts has bounced from loan club to loan club, with some working out and others becoming a struggle. Last at Middlesbrough, he did okay under Neil Warnock, and has a year left on his City contract. It might be time to cash in.
Luka Ilic is rarely mentioned as a player on City’s books, but the 21-year-old Serbian could boost the transfer kitty if the Blues want to cash in. A regular for Twente this season, and with 12 months on his City deal, he’s another candidate to sell.
Japanese youngster Ryo Meshino joined with a bit of fanfare and impressed at Hearts, but then was sent to Rio Ave on a two-year loan at the start of the season. Rio Ave have option to buy at end of loan next summer, and having been bought for £900,000, he could make City a small profit if they decide to cash that in.
Aro Muric was City’s 2018/19 Carabao Cup hero, but then spent a disastrous year on loan at Nottingham Forest last season. He had similar struggles at Girona this season before finally finding game time at Willem II in the second half of the season. Under contract at City until 2024, and far down the pecking order at the Etihad, he could be sold.
Finally, striker Marlos Moreno has two years left on his contract and has rediscovered his form at sister club Lommel this year. Signed for £4.75m and with high hopes, his struggles since might mean City lose money on him, but anything back would be a bonus and could go towards a first-team striker for Pep Guardiola.
