While Manchester City are in the midst of an extremely busy summer, several changes are also in motion on the youth front.
Perhaps the biggest headline-grabber up until this point has been Gavin Bazunu’s switch to Southampton for a reported £15 million fee, including add-ons.
Elsewhere, CJ Egan-Riley is poised to join Vincent Kompany’s Burnley for a fee in the region of £400,000, as a possible Taylor Harwood-Bellis loan spell may also be in the works.
Additionally, James Trafford is also set to remain on loan at Bolton for a second successive season, with City claimed to have tied down the talented goalkeeper to a brand-new three-year contract.
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Midfield starlet Darko Gyabi has been widely reported to be headed to Leeds United, in a move that is not linked to Kalvin Phillips’ potential move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Another gifted youngster that looks set for a change of scenery is Sam Edozie, whose permanent move to Bayer Leverkusen seems all but confirmed.
Much like former youthful wingers such as Jadon Sancho, Rabbi Matondo and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the City youngster is also exploring Germany as the ideal destination to accelerate his career.
While the Sky Blues supporters continue to digest the possibility of one of their side’s most promising talents departing the club, new details have emerged about his rumoured transfer to the Bay Arena.
As per the latest information provided by journalist Alan Nixon, it is understood that Sam Edozie will sign for Bayer Leverkusen for a £10 million that is set to be paid across instalments.
It has further been claimed that Borussia Dortmund are said to have been ‘keen’ on the 19-year old’s signature.
However, Leverkusen are stated to have proactively intervened coupled with the player’s understanding that his chances of guaranteed minutes are higher at the club that secured the move in their favour above Dortmund.
With the Lewisham-born talent’s current deal set to expire in 2023, it is mentioned that City were in no bargaining position which meant they had to ‘accept’ the offer on the table.
Despite Edozie’s departure, there is no questioning the fact that Pep Guardiola was an admirer of the youngster’s talent.
The prodigious forward was blooded into the side during pre-season as he repaid the Catalan boss’ faith in style.
So much so that Guardiola decided to start the starlet in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City in the 2021 Community Shield.
The former Bayern Munich manager had also grouped Sam Edozie alongside Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling as the only three players at the club that can execute 40-yard transitions in possession.
As witnessed as a part of the deal to sell Bazunu to Southampton, it would not be a surprise if City inserted both a buy-back as well as a sell-on clause as a part of Edozie’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
In addition, it has been reported that Liam Delap could be set for a season-long loan spell at Brighton next term, that could drive down the price for Manchester City target Marc Cucurella to a favourable £40 million.
Topics: Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, Premier League, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours
Srinivas Sadhanand