Ahead of the 2022/23 season, a number of Manchester City’s most prodigious youngsters have decided to depart the club.
While Gavin Bazunu has been earmarked as a future starter at City, he could not turn down the chance of potentially becoming Southampton’s number one next term.
Similarly, Romeo Lavia has been touted as the side’s go-to defensive midfielder one day.
Advert
But the opportunity of getting starting minutes at Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side for the Belgian starlet was too good to say no to.
The same can be said for Darko Gyabi, who has the chance of competing in the Premier League for Leeds United at just 18 years of age.
While CJ Egan-Riley has also left the Sky Blues to further hone his craft under the keen eye of Vincent Kompany, Samuel Edozie’s future still remains uncertain.
At one point, it seemed as if the Englishman’s switch to Bayer Leverkusen for £10 million was imminent.
Advert
The 19-year-old looked all set to join a list of talented, young City wingers such as Jadon Sancho, Rabbi Matondo and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who have left the club in favour of a switch to the Bundesliga.
However, the move has seemingly stalled, with the teenager returning to first-team training at the City Football Academy just a few weeks ago.
A fresh update has emerged that will be good news for the youngster, who will finally be able to join the German giants next season.
Advert
As per a report by Sam Lee of the Athletic, Samuel Edozie’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen looks set to be completed.
The highly-rated wide-man has visited Germany but as things stand, he is alongside the rest of the Elite Development Squad (EDS) for their pre-season academy training camp in Croatia while a fee is being agreed.
It’s clear to see that Pep Guardiola was always a massive admirer of Edozie.
The Catalan boss made him a regular feature during the 2021/22 pre-season fixtures, in which the world caught a glimpse of the Lewisham-born forward’s frightening potential.
Advert
However, a more significant sign of his faith in the youngster was when the England U19 international started in City’s Community Shield clash against Leicester.
Grouping the tricky customer alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva - as the only players at the club capable of executing 40-yard transitions singlehandedly - there is no questioning that the starlet was held in high regard by Guardiola.
As the competition for place has risen once again at City ahead of the new season, Samuel Edozie has ultimately decided that an imminent move to Bayer Leverkusen could take his career to the next level.
Advert
Despite no confirmation at this stage, it is likely City will include a buy-back and sell-on clause in his new contract.
Topics: Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, Premier League, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours
Srinivas Sadhanand