Once again this summer, Manchester City have leaned into their seeming policy of sending young players on loan unless they either intend to keep or sell them.
For instance, Yan Couto is on loan at Borussia Dortmund from City — with a £25.3 obligation-to-buy clause in the deal — as per BBC Sport.
Similarly, Maximo Perrone has signed for Cesc Fabregas’ Como side on a season-long loan from the Etihad Stadium.
If Couto impresses in Germany, Dortmund will sign him and he will continue to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
In Perrone’s case, he has another chance to showcase why he has the minerals to play first-team football for City after his previous loan stint at Las Palmas.
Another youngster who will continue to develop elsewhere is Claudio Echeverri at River Plate until January while a senior player in Kalvin Phillips is currently on a season-long loan spell at Ipswich Town as well.
But City do not seem to have ceased their business in the loan market yet.
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Romano shares what he knows about Man City’s Joel Ndala and PSV
Joel Ndala is another player whose future in a City shirt is uncertain.
The 18-year-old has long been regarded as one of the most gifted youngsters at the club’s disposal.
Ndala is a left-winger by trade, capable of taking on his man, blessed with electric pace and quick feet.
The Englishman even came on as a substitute in Manchester City’s 4-3 defeat to Celtic and their 4-2 win against Chelsea in pre-season.
Shaun Goater hailed Ndala as “exciting” as well ahead of the FA Youth Cup semi-final where Arsenal beat City 2-1 on the day.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has claimed on X that PSV Eindhoven have struck an agreement to sign Ndala on loan with a “mandatory buy clause” in the contract.
The deal is believed to be in place with conversations taking place about potential buyback and sell-on clauses in the contract.
The teenager was believed to be a target for several clubs.
Man City should strike buyback agreement for Joel Ndala with PSV
For Manchester City to ensure the deal goes over the line, the club should first ensure that PSV Eindhoven agree to including a buyback clause in particular if they intend to sign Ndala on loan.
Perhaps City’s rationale to accept a mandatory buy clause in the deal for the Englishman is due to the fact that he is unlikely to play first-team football at the club that features wingers like Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb and Jack Grealish.
As a result, it would be best for Ndala’s future for the time being to develop in the Netherlands.
But the highly-touted winger has the potential to become a top player one day.
Manchester City would not wish to regret their potentially eventual sale of Ndala.
In order to future-proof themselves from the speedster becoming a world-class player elsewhere, including a buyback clause would give them the chance of re-signing him if he ends up leaving he club.
Whether City manage to persuade PSV Eindhoven to agree such a deal is the question.
