Manchester City are in line for a potential transfer windfall from two academy departures, with sell-on clauses set to deliver significant sums if former players move on.
Harwood-Bellis transfer interest
City will monitor interest in former defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who has been the subject of two failed bids from Aston Villa, the second totalling £18m. Manchester United have also been linked with the 24-year-old.
The Blues stand to profit if the centre-back leaves Southampton for more than the £20m the Saints paid to sign him from City two years ago. Southampton reportedly value the England international at £30m, and should he depart for that figure, City would net £2.5m having inserted a 25 per cent sell-on clause on any profit into the original deal.
Enzo Maresca's side also have a buy-back clause, but there is no suggestion the Blues will bring the Stockport-born player back to the Etihad. Harwood-Bellis joined Southampton on loan in 2023, with a stipulation that the Saints would complete a £20m permanent deal should they win promotion. They beat Leeds in the play-off final in 2024 but were relegated 12 months later and then kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May due to the spy-gate scandal.
Kabore fee revealed
The Manchester Evening News can reveal that Issa Kabore's move to Wrexham from City could net the Blues up to £4.75m after the full-back completed his switch to the Championship side this week.
Kabore was on loan in North Wales last season and impressed as Phil Parkinson's side fell just short of the play-offs. Wrexham swooped to sign the 25-year-old this week, and the total package could reach nearly £5m if all add-ons are reached. City also inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause into the deal and hold matching rights on the Burkina Faso international.
Kabore signed a three-year deal at the Racecourse for a reported initial £2m fee, and upon signing said: "I'm very happy to be back. It feels good to be here again. Everybody knows our ambition is to get to the Premier League, and I’m here to fight for that promotion. I’m here to fight for this club, for our fans, and to give back the love everyone gave me last season."
Academy belief under Maresca
Maresca's decision to promote three City youngsters to the first-team picture in the opening weeks of the season has reinforced belief that the Blues boss will turn to the academy this season. Winger Ryan McAidoo, midfielder Floyd Samba and defender Kaden Braithwaite are with the first team having impressed Maresca.
The City boss has spoken on more than one occasion of having belief in young players, and while the Blues are set to strengthen the senior squad before transfer deadline day on Tuesday, internally there is hope among City's next generation that opportunities will present themselves if they work hard and showcase their ability.
Tyrone Samba, who scored in the opening two fixtures of the season for the Under-21s, feels having Maresca as first-team boss, particularly given he spent a year coaching the EDS team, can only be beneficial to youngsters aiming to follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly.
"Enzo has possibly seen us when we were younger," Samba told the MEN. "He might know how some of this play. It is good that he has been around. It (the pathway) is a huge relief because you can see there is a way if you put the work in every single day with no excuses. That is the goal for everyone."
Under-21s suffer first defeat
City Under-21s were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Oli Reiss' side had opened the Premier League 2 season with a convincing win over Wolves on Monday but fell to defeat against 10-man Forest.
Kristian Clarke gave Forest a first-half lead, but when Floyd Samba levelled moments into the second period and the hosts then saw captain Blaine McClure sent off, it seemed as if the Blues had the momentum. However, Jimmy Sinclair scored a 74th-minute winner for Forest, who picked up their first points of the campaign.
City Under-21s are next in league action on Saturday, September 12, when they take on Manchester United (7pm) at the Joie Stadium. City Academy fixtures this week include Manchester City Under-18s vs Leeds United in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday at 12noon.
