MANCHESTER CITY could have had a line-up full of superstars - without paying a penny.
The City academy has produced some gems in recent years, but few remain at the club.
Pep Guardiola has the likes of Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis at his disposal thanks to the youth department, yet is set to spend hundreds of millions to revamp his squad this summer.
Instead, City could already have some of the most talented players in the league at their disposal, if only they had held onto them.
In demand striker Liam Delap was let go last summer and is on the radar of several Prem clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, as is former City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Chelsea have been big beneficiaries of City's academy set-up and now boast three former Cityzens - Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Blues have also been linked with another ex-City star, Morgan Rogers.
The midfielder has been a standout player this season for Aston Villa and earned his first England caps.
Another player who could make a move this summer is Jeremie Frimpong, who played for City's academy between 2010 and 2019 before moving to Celtic.
The right-back has since helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and could make a £33million switch to Liverpool when the transfer window reopens.
Two other City players have impressed playing abroad too - Michael Olise at Bayern Munich and Eric Garcia, who looks set to win LaLiga with Barcelona.
City's former academy stars did not cost anything for the club to bring in, and some have since fetched eye-watering fees.
It appears the club is set to break the bank once again to get back to title-winning ways.
City's top priority is Leverkusen talisman Florian Wirtz, who could cost a record £126m.
City have also approached AC Milan to sign Tijjani Reijnders although they are yet to submit a bid.
Milan want around £60m for the Dutch midfielder, which would make him their biggest sale in their history.
While Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento is also on Pep Guardiola's radar.
Coolluck26
0
overyhped
Janelnptu
5
City brought special talented kids.... nurture them well and give them opportunity to join the clubs where he can flourish.... City Academy have number of talented kids.... City can't keep all of them.... only very few will get the chance to enter City's 1st team. But the academy is doing great for both City and the players as City making millions by selling Academy product at the same time The players also benefited by extraordinary facilities that City Academy provide to explore
BertrandGenus
2
What would this team win? Are you joking or what?
Semetoo12345
0
cheque book manager
As if your favorite managers work with free transfers
Dodabeknu
1
Man city trf
Dodabeknu
1
Mancitytry
Dapcmostz
2
these guys won't even finish in top 6
Pumdkmprs
1
Nonsense post
sizintyz
4
what doesn't belong to the blue moon we let go....the project is based on winning trophies not keeping players for no reason....how many of them have won major trophies with their recent clubs apart from olise and frimpong
mdzifislam
1
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
zaubklopy
5
if All these players have remained in man city they wouldn't have improved now
sahaknsy
2
This team can not finish top 10 in the league
Arnoldsembatya66
3
du u want city to bi serifish to remain with the prodigals
Noybkoprsy
2
The team above there!! can not win any thing my friend. we r not arsenal man😅🤣😂
Wiabeloptz
0
cheque book manager