Championship giant in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Manchester City star in shock permanent transfer coup

Manchester City midfielder Micah Hamilton is poised to complete a surprise permanent move to Middlesbrough.

The 20-year-old, who has recently returned to east Manchester following involvement in Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States, could become the latest major sale from the City Football Academy.

Hamilton has been at Manchester City for over a decade, and made his first-team debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in the UEFA Champions League last season, scoring emphatically against Red Star Belgrade.

The attacking midfielder featured during recent friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona for the Sky Blues, and additionally featured against both Huddersfield Town and FC Copenhagen for Manchester City during the previous campaign.

Hamilton was an unused substitute on six further occasions, and was directly involved in eight goals in 19 Premier League 2 appearances during the 2023/24 season.

The 20-year-old is in ‘advanced talks’ to complete a permanent move to the Riverside Stadium this summer, with Middlesbrough having held ‘positive discussions’ with Manchester City surrounding a deal, according to The Athletic.

A medical has already been scheduled by the Championship club, and personal terms are also reportedly not expected to be an issue.

The transfer of the 2003-born forward will also include a number of additional clauses according to Fabrizio Romano, with Etihad bosses inserting both a buy-back and sell-on clause.

Hamilton is poised to become the second City Football Academy graduate to complete a permanent exit from Manchester City to the English second-tier, after Cardiff City agreed a deal with midfielder Alex Robertson.