When Manchester City proudly unveiled their brand, spanking new £200 million football academy in December 2014, the belief was that a conveyor belt of world class, young talent would gradually begin to roll out of it and into the first team.
With the exception of Kelechi Iheanacho, who himself looks set for a move to West Ham, despite regularly impressing whenever given the chance in City's first team, the amount of academy graduates being given a chance to shine in the first teams of Manuel Pellegrini and current manager Pep Guardiola has been almost non-existent, with the exception of a handful of cup games.
Last season Iheanacho was scoring the winner in a Manchester derby. Now, he's heading for the Etihad stadium exit door. Image: PA
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Now, City are selling the promising youngsters they bring into the club before they've had a chance to even grace the first team.
However, this time, the sale has nothing to do with the player not being rated by club management.
Enes Ünal, the 20-year-old Turkish striker who arrived in East Manchester from Bursaspor in 2015, is now set to complete a £12 million move to La Liga outfit Villareal.
Unal turning out for the Turkish national team against Moldova, in March. Image: PA
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City parted with just £2 million for Ünal's services two years ago and, with the young Turkish international impressing during a season long loan at FC Twente, he has now secured a full time move away from Eastlands.
Ünal scored 19 times during 33 appearances for the Eredivise club, but due to current Home Office regulations, cannot turn out for City as he has not featured in at least 45% of the Turkish national team games over the past 24 months. The 20-year-old is also not regarded to be an 'exceptional talent', which would have been another way for the striker to secure a permit.
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The likes of Lille, Schalke, Benfica, Valencia and Porto were all linked with Ünal's signature, but it is Villareal who appear to have won the race, although personal terms have yet to be agreed between the club and player.
It is believed a £17.5 million buy back clause has been inserted into the deal, should City opt to bring Ünal back to the Etihad stadium in the future, when a work permit is easier to secure.
(H/T The Guardian)
Topics: Manchester City, Football, Villareal
