From David Ornstein: Man City academy star could become latest to follow Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia exit route

Manchester City are witnessing one of their academy’s finest young talents attract interest from across Europe and within the Premier League, a new report has detailed.

The latest development concerns 17-year-old Joel Ndala – England’s stand-out player and top scorer at the ongoing FIFA Under-17s World Cup prior to their elimination at the quarter-finals stage this week.

The former Port Vale starlet was signed by Manchester City six years ago for what the Valiants described at the time as ‘a handsome fee’, as per StokeonTrentLive.

Ndala’s former club will be watching his development and subsequent transfer interest with a keen eye, having installed additional clauses into an agreement that could include extra payments for landmarks such as a first senior contract, senior appearances or sell-on fee.

If one report is to come true in the coming months and years ahead, then the League One club could find themselves in a very fortunate position with Joel Ndala already attracting widespread interest in the game.

That is according to the information of The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who reports that Joel Ndala has become the latest Manchester City academy prospect to be attracting interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and across Europe.

It is detailed within the report that the 17-year-old City forward has already been subject to enquiries in relation to both a loan and permanent move, despite having yet to make a single senior appearance under Pep Guardiola.

City find themselves in a strong negotiating position when it comes to the teenage sensation, after the forward signed professional terms with the Premier League champions in July 2022, meaning Etihad officials would be able to command a sizeable fee should they cash in.

Across six appearances for Manchester City’s various youth age groups in the UEFA Youth League, Premier League 2, and EFL Trophy, Joel Ndala has scored one goal and provided a further two assists.

City are unlikely to be easily willing to sell Ndala at this early stage in his career, with club officials viewing the player as one of the finest talents to emerge from the academy system in recent years.

Etihad officials have found fortunes from sales of academy talents over the past couple of seasons, with Cole Palmer’s move to Chelsea generating an initial £40 million, Romeo Lavia to Southampton for £22.5 million, and Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund for a total of £21.2 million.

Joel Ndala’s market value remains to be seen, however his performances for England at the FIFA Under-17s World Cup will almost certainly have skyrocketed his value despite his young age an inexperience at senior club level.