MANCHESTER CITY could have had a line-up full of superstars – without paying a penny.
The City academy has produced some gems in recent years, but few remain at the club.
AlamyPep Guardiola is plotting a big rebuild this summer[/caption]
GettyMan City sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea in 2023[/caption]
RexDelap left City last summer and is now in high demand[/caption]
GettyCity are eyeing Florian Wirtz in a record deal[/caption]
Pep Guardiola still has the likes of Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis at his disposal thanks to the youth department, yet is set to spend hundreds of millions to revamp his squad this summer.
But had they done things differently, City could have already possessed some of the most talented players in the league.
In demand striker Liam Delap was let go last summer and is on the radar of several Prem clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, as is former City goalkeeper James Trafford, who kept 29 Championship clean sheets this season.
Chelsea have been big beneficiaries of City’s academy set-up and now boast three former Cityzens – Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Blues have also been linked with another ex-City star, Morgan Rogers.
The midfielder has been a standout player this season for Aston Villa and earned his first England caps.
Another player who could make a move this summer is Jeremie Frimpong, who played for City’s academy between 2010 and 2019 before moving to Celtic.
The right-back has since helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and could make a £33million switch to Liverpool when the transfer window reopens.
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Two other City players have impressed playing abroad too – Michael Olise at Bayern Munich and Eric Garcia, who looks set to win LaLiga with Barcelona.
City’s former academy stars did not cost anything for the club to bring in, and some have since fetched eye-watering fees.
It appears the club is set to break the bank once again to get back to title-winning ways.
City’s top priority is Leverkusen talisman Florian Wirtz, who could cost a British record £126m.
City have also approached AC Milan to sign Tijjani Reijnders although they are yet to submit a bid.
Milan want around £60m for the Dutch midfielder, which would make him their biggest sale in their history.
Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento is also on Pep Guardiola’s radar.
Shutterstock EditorialLiverpool target Jeremie Frimpong spent nine years in the City academy[/caption]
GettyMichael Olise has found success since leaving the Cityzens as a youngster[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
