Carlos Borges could earn Manchester City millions of pounds in years to come despite leaving the club this summer.
On Thursday, AFC Ajax confirmed that they had completed the signing of Carlos Borges from Manchester City.
The Dutch giants have paid €14m (£12m) for the young attacker, although the fee could rise to €19m (£16.3m) depending on various bonuses and add-ons.
Borges, who joined City’s academy set-up in 2014, enjoyed a superb 2022/23 campaign for City’s U21s.
The Portuguese youth international scored a remarkable 21 goals and provided 11 assists in just 24 Premier League 2 appearances as City romped to the title.
Borges – described as an ‘exceptional’ talent by City EDS boss Brian Barry-Murphy finished the campaign as the competition’s top scorer and was crowned Premier League 2 Player of the Season.
After enjoying such a productive season, Borges attracted interest from a host of Premier League and European clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
It was widely reported that West Ham were poised to complete a £14m deal for the 19-year-old, but Ajax swooped in at the last moment to sign him.
City thinking long term
While City will receive a smaller initial fee from the Dutch club than they would have done from West Ham, the terms of the deal mean City could earn more money in the long term.
As reported by BBC journalist Mike Minay, the agreement includes a sell-on clause, meaning City will receive 20% of any future fee Ajax sell Borges for.
For example, if Ajax sold Borges for £20m then City would receive £4m.
The treble winners also have a buy-back option, allowing them to re-sign Borges for a fixed fee.
Borges felt it was time to move
After the transfer was confirmed, thanked City via his Instagram page.
“It has been fantastic and unforgettable years! Thank you, Manchester City,” he wrote.
On signing for Ajax, the youngster said:
“When I was getting told I was coming to Ajax, actually I was in Portugal and they said they had interest in me and they just spoke to me about the project and how they want me in the team and how I’m going to fit in and how they’re going to count on me – as a player, that’s what you want to hear.
“So I said, ‘Yeah, I think this is the right move for me’. I was a bit shocked, I was surprised but I’m here now so I guess it was true!”
