Kieran Maguire: ‘Man City supplant Man United’ after source’s £115m transfer reveal
Man City are profiting from their academy after overthrowing Man United as the top youth system in the northwest of England.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about City’s ability to sell academy stars for large fees.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (21 July) that City have earned £115million from selling academy graduates in the past three years.
The Citizens have completed a £19million deal with Burnley for goalkeeper James Trafford and a £15million deal with Southampton for Shea Charles.
Carlos Borges is also closing in on a £14million move to West Ham, which would take City’s profit from academy stars to £48million this summer.
In comparison, United have struggled to sell academy stars for large fees, with Anthony Elanga’s £15million move to Nottingham Forest their largest sale in recent years.
Maguire believes City are beginning to overthrow United as the academy powerhouse of the northwest thanks to investment in facilities since their takeover.
“Man United have failed to match their noisy neighbours in terms of youth investment and academy infrastructure spend since Sheikh Mansour acquired Man City in 2008,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“We are starting to see this being reflected in terms of City’s ability to secure some of the best young talents and then monetise it in the form of player sales.
“Therefore it is perhaps no surprise that Man City have supplanted Man United as the first-choice destination for top talent in the northwest of England.
“It will take a substantial amount of money and persuasion to attract young talent back to Old Trafford, although the club does have the allure of reputation and history.“
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