Manchester City are reportedly very close to selling one of their academy products, with an agreement in place.
City have just returned from their pre-season tour of the US, which was a real success.
It was a productive couple of weeks out in the States, with a number of young players getting opportunities from Pep Guardiola.
The likes of James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly really caught the eye, while Oscar Bobb really lit up the tour and is surely going to be starting the Community Shield against Manchester United.
Another young player who did well on the tour was Micah Hamilton, who made his first-team debut for City last season.
But unlike McAtee and O’Reilly, his future appears to lie away from the Etihad Stadium.
Man City strike £3.5m deal with Middlesbrough to sell Micah Hamilton as buy-back clause shared
It was reported yesterday that City and Championship side Middlesbrough were in advanced talks over Micah Hamilton.
Boro came up just short last season in their bid for promotion, and Michael Carrick has been keen to strengthen ahead of 2024/25.
He sees Hamilton as someone who can improve his squad, and a permanent deal is now in the offing.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that the deal agreed between the two clubs is in the region of £3.5 million, which is relatively small compared to what other academy graduates have sold for.
Romano also reports that City have managed to agree a buy-back clause.
He wrote on X last night: “Middlesbrough have agreed deal for Micah Hamilton on fee in the region of £3.5m. Manchester City will also have buy-back clause, it will be around £11m.
“Final details being sorted then it will be signed.”
A good buy-back
So Hamilton looks all set for a new chapter with Middlesbrough.
The fee does seem a little on the low side compared to other academy players who have been sold in recent times. But that buy-back seems to be good business.
Recently, Shaun Wright-Phillips declared that Hamilton is a player ‘who will go a very long way in football’, given the way he plays and his tenacity.
If Hamilton ends up realising his potential, then that buy-back clause might come in very handy later down the line. £11 million is really not that much in football in this day and age.
Hopefully, he will now thrive at Boro, and help them to seal promotion to the Premier League next year.
