City’s Academy Goldmine Strikes Again: Delap Joins Ipswich for Big Money
Manchester City’s academy conveyor belt keeps churning out cash, with Liam Delap joining Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town for a hefty sum. This latest sale adds another £20 million to City’s transfer kitty, pushing their academy earnings to a staggering £60 million this summer alone!
Delap, an FA Youth Cup champion and Premier League 2 Golden Boot winner, has honed his skills through a series of Championship loans. His impressive performances with Hull last season caught the eye of Ipswich, who are gearing up for their return to the top flight. The young striker opted for Portman Road over interest from Southampton, eager to make his mark in the Premier League.
This follows the permanent departures of Taylor Harwood-Bellis (£20 million) and Tommy Doyle (£5 million), who thrived on loan at Southampton and Wolves respectively. With the addition of Sergio Gomez’s sale to Real Sociedad and a windfall from a sell-on clause in Douglas Luiz’s Aston Villa contract, City’s academy sales have become a significant financial force.
While Delap only managed one senior goal for City (a screamer on debut against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup), his potential fetched a hefty price tag. Reports suggest a base fee of £15 million with potential add-ons reaching £20 million. City cleverly secured a 20% sell-on clause and a buy-back option, ensuring they profit from his future success.
This marks the third consecutive summer where City’s academy has generated over £50 million in transfer fees. While Delap may not have cracked the starting XI at City yet, his sale exemplifies the club’s remarkable ability to develop and monetize young talent. The future looks bright for City’s academy graduates, both on and off the pitch.
