Ryan McAidoo, Reigan Heskey and Xavier Parker have all reportedly received transfer interest this summer.
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News reports that Liverpool are leading the race for 16-year-old Parker.
There is also interest from abroad and the Premier League in McAidoo and Heskey.
The three players formed part of a strong Manchester City Under-18 group last season. McAidoo and Heskey both played major roles in City’s FA Youth Cup final win over Manchester United, while Parker has also been involved around the same age group.
The FA’s official match report noted that McAidoo kept the ball alive before Heskey scored the late FA Youth Cup final winner.
City Face Academy Retention Issue
This is the other side of building one of the strongest academies in the country.
City produce players good enough to attract early interest, but they also face a challenge keeping pathways clear. Young players and their representatives will look closely at where first-team chances may come.
Read Man City recently covered how Oliver Reiss’ EDS appointment gives Enzo Maresca a clear academy test, and this situation fits that wider picture.
Parker’s Liverpool interest gives the story an obvious headline. McAidoo and Heskey’s situations are just as important for City’s academy planning.
City will not want to lose high-upside players before they have shaped their next steps. The coming weeks may show how strong their retention plan really is.
