Manchester City are in desperate need to add more homegrown players, in order to meet the demand of football association (FA).
After the departure of Frank Lampard who was signed last summer from New York City FC on season long loan, James Milner, Micah Richards, Scott Sinclair, Dedrck Boyata, as things stand Manchester City are short of five homegrown players of the total eight.
James Milner was offered improved contract by Manchester City but he wasn’t happy with playing time at Eithad, and he joined Liverpool as free agent.
As per FA home grown quota, clubs are required to include eight homegrown players out of the squad of 25.
A criterion to qualified as homegrown player: as one who, regardless of nationality, age has been registered with any club affiliated to the football Association (FA) or the football Association of Wales, for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months, prior to his 21 birthday or of the season during which he turns 21.
Where Manchester City is looking to beef up squad in order to challenge for Premier league title and to make further progress in Europe, adding homegrown players will likely to dominate their transfer agendas.
So far, chase of homegrown talent has been frustrating, Liverpool rebuffed the initial bid of 25m for want-away Raheem Sterling according to BBC. Manchester City camp was confident second bid of 40m would be enough to tempt Liverpool with England International unwilling to extend his contract and want to continue his football else where. Liverpool owners fully aware of vulnerable situation of Manchester outfit struggling to meet FA home grown quota, they opted to play hardball and informed Blues in order to sign Reheem Sterling they need to pay 50m. Manchester City still to decide whether to improve their offer or not.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is also a potential target for premier league runners up. For years Manchester become familiar rout for Arsenal players while Arsenal were financially restricted, relentlessly Wenger has to sell priced assets to pay off the stadium. At times it seams, Arsenal has become feeder club to the Manchester City . But not anymore, Arsene Wenger clarify there is no need to sell his star players amid Manchester City interest in Jack Wilshere. With Jack Wilshere keen to stay at his boyhood club, Manchester City quest would prove lost cause.
One homegrown player which Manchester City is closing in is Fulham Patrick Roberts as reported by Evening Standard. He would cost around £10 million.
According to Sky Sport, Manchester City are in talks with former Arsenal midfielder Alex song, who qualified as homegrown player being joined Arsenal when he was 17.
Manchester City search for homegrown players could also expand to the blue part of the Merseyside, dynamic Ross Barkley catching eye of the City’s scouts. John Stones has been recently linked with a move to Etihad, but City has to fend of interest with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Talk of the town Jack Grealish could also come in the picture if other deals failed to materialize as Manchester City also keeping tabs on his teammate Fabian Delph.
If needed, Manchester City can also promote players from their academy keeping in view the homegrown quota.
