As Manchester City make their plans for the summer transfer window, there are several factors they will need to consider. Budget, PSR regulations, age profile and outgoings could play important factors in deciding which players come in.
The club’s youth players are also likely to be important. City have become one of the best talent factories in the country - as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb demonstrate on a weekly basis for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Trafford, Morgan Rogers and Brahim Diaz are further examples who have since left City, and the Blues have hoovered up trophies at underage level for several years.
The Under-18s won the FA Youth Cup and there’s real hope at City that several of those players could go on to play significant roles in Guardiola’s senior set-up. The City boss has also referenced the importance of bringing through precious talents on several occasions and in the club’s treble documentary at one point threatens to promote youth players after a poor first-team performance.
With 16 senior players at international tournaments this summer, there will likely be no shortage of opportunities for youngsters to impress Guardiola during the club’s pre-season tour of America.
From there, some could even force their way into the manager’s plans for the 2024/25 campaign. Evidently, they also offer a much cheaper option than any potential summer signing and could save City millions in the transfer market. We’ve picked out five of the club’s most promising youngsters to keep an eye out for ahead of the new season…
1. True Grant
A mainstay of the Under-18 cup-winning side, the goalkeeper has already proved where he sits in Guardiola's plans and was named on the bench for the final game of the 2023/24 Premier League season. Should Ederson leave, Grant could step up as the club's new no.2
2. Kian Noble
A commanding centre-back who is comfortable bring the ball out from defence - just as Guardiola likes. Noble has captained England's Under-17 side and even trained with Gareth Southgate's senior side earlier this year. He's one of the highly rated talents in the City ranks.
3. Mahamadou Susoho
City are in need of cover for Rodri, and the talented Susoho could be the answer. The teenager made his first-team debut in December 2023 and was named on the bench 12 times last season. The Spaniard has that Rodri-esque ability to dictate the pace of play from the base of midfield.
4. Micah Hamilton
Another who has already represented the first team and Hamilton even got on the scoresheet in a Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade last season. While City are well stocked in the wide attacking areas, the Manchester-born winger has shown he is ready to step up to the senior squad.