The 2022/23 season is set to be a season of change for a number of youth talents affiliated with Manchester City.
The aforementioned statement particularly applies to the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia and CJ-Egan Riley, who have all departed to the likes of Southampton and Burnley on a permanent basis.
Sam Edozie and Darko Gyabi will soon be added to this list as the gifted duo’s moves to Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds United respectively seem imminent.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, on the other hand, has reunited with Vincent Kompany as his season-long loan spell to Burnley was recently announced.
Advert
However, it would not come as a surprise to eventually discover that several other prospects representing the Sky Blues are set to join the Englishman in embracing a spell out on loan.
For instance, Liam Delap is a name that has been heavily linked with a temporary switch to Brighton & Hove Albion next season.
With the Premier League champions boasting of one of the standout academies in English football, a fresh update mentions that a familiar suitor is keeping a keen eye on the side’s conveyor belt of talent.
Advert
As per the latest information provided by Alan Nixon, Lommel SK manager Steve Bould is set for a visit to Manchester City to select academy players to sign on loan.
Additionally, the City Football Group-owned outfit could sign two or three of such players in the summer, with the former Arsenal assistant coach having full control over the potential arrivals.
Ultimately, Pep Guardiola’s side have ensured that their enviable batch of youngsters, both academy products and project signings have the possibility of heading out to one their sister clubs on loan to gain much-needed experience.
Advert
The likes of loanees such as Issa Kabore, Kluiverth Aguilar, Pablo Moreno, Lewis Fiorini and Dario Sarmiento are a few examples that instantly spring to mind.
With a number of the current crop from the Elite Development Squad (EDS) more likely to be sent out on loan at superior sides, a mix of talents from the U18s and U23s could be scouted by Bould.
Some notable examples include the likes of Oscar Broges, Luca Barrington and Adedire Mebude to name a few.
A loan stint at a meticulously run CFG-owned club like Lommel SK could massively aid the development of any Manchester City youngsters set for loan spells to the Belgian side next season.
Advert
The policy undertaken this summer is a huge shift.
Usually, City would send promising youth talents on loan and assess their development as that progresses - akin to the Chelsea model.
However, selling to clubs permanently and including a buy-back option could end up becoming smart business.
If they are an instant hit, the Blues will have the option to take them back at a respectful fee, but if not, they have already made a healthy profit on an academy player they have nurtured for free.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours
Srinivas Sadhanand