Manchester City to sell 22-year-old for €25m - despite him not even having played a first team game for the club: report

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Manchester City could be set to profit from an exciting youngster who is yet to make his debut

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 7: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Manchester City continue to benefit from a profitable youth setup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City look to benefit from their expansive youth setup once again with the sale of a high-profile youngster yet to even make his professional debut for the club.

The blue half of Manchester have developed one of the best academies in the world over the past decade, raising through talents such as Phil Foden and Rico Lewis while profiting from a number of other graduates.

James Trafford, Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia have all departed the club for big fees after failing to successfully cement their place in the first team, with City raising over €400 million through academy sales in recent years, according to Transfermarkt.

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Manchester City set for youngster sale

The Cityzens have, somewhat controversially, made fantastic use of their sister club Girona over the past 12 months, having recently signed Savio following his fantastic loan spell in Spain.

They have also reaped the rewards of loaning young defender Yan Couto to the Catalan club who, despite never playing a game for Pep Guardiola's side, appears to be cashing in on his newly inflated stock.

The 22-year old Brazilian thrived in a Girona side which challenged for the La Liga title for a large portion of the last campaign, joined by former Manchester City players Yangel Herrera and Eric Garcia.

Girona's Brazilian defender #20 Yan Couto is tackled by Getafe's Spanish midfielder #09 Oscar Rodriguez during the Spanish league football match between Getafe CF and Girona FC at the Col. Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe on March 16, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) Manchester City

Couto playing for Girona (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Fabrizio Romano, Couto now appears to be on the verge of sealing a €25 million move to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Such a move would present City with a €20 million profit on a player yet to make a senior appearance since joining from Brazilian side Coritiba FC for €6 million back in 2020.

Couto would become the fourth player to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer, following Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Sergio Gomez and Tommy Doyle.

Cristhian Stuani of Girona FC celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Valencia CF at Montilivi Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Girona, Spain.

Girona qualified for the Champions League last season (Image credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)

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James Ridge

James Ridge is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He recently spent time with The United Stand as an online news editor and has covered the beautiful game from England’s eighth tier all the way to the Premier League.