- Nabeel
Every winter transfer – Manchester City 2021/2022
Updated: Feb 2, 2022
In what has been a generally quiet window for Manchester City, they have secured one of the brightest talents from South America in Julian Alvarez from River Plate, re-thought several loan moves for their young players, and offloaded a few names permanently – most notably, Ferran Torres to Barcelona.
Here's everything we've managed to keep tabs on:
INCOMINGS
Zalan Vancsa: Technically not a City signing given the forward has officially signed for City Football Group side Lommel SK in Belgium on a deal until the summer of 2024 from MTK Budapest – nevertheless, the 17-year-old was reported as being targeted by the Premier League champions throughout the window. Journalist, Ben Bocsak, who has been the go-to man for information on the Hungarian, reports that he will not directly belong to City due to the new FIFA rules on loan signings. Vancsa will remain at MTK Budapest on loan for the remainder of the season.
Julian Alvarez: City's most exciting transaction of the window; snapping up one of the finest talents emerging from South America on a five-and-a-half-year deal for a fee reported in England as being £14million. The 22-year-old finished as top scorer in the Argentine Primera Division, with River going on to win the league. The Argentina international will remain at River until the summer at least.
In the official announcement, River president Jorge Brito said:
"It is a milestone that marks the beginning of the link between River Plate and Manchester City, which we hope will bear much fruit for both clubs."
OUTGOINGS - PERMANENT
Patrick Roberts: Bringing an end to a torrid seven-year stint at the club, the 24-year-old sealed a permanent move to Sunderland for a fee which could reportedly rise to £3million, although not much is to be paid upfront by the promotion-chasing League One side. The winger spent the first half of the season on loan at City Football Group side Troyes but did not feature a great deal for the Ligue 1 club.
Luke Bolton: The 22-year-old has joined Salford City on a free transfer, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. Bolton enjoyed spells on loan at Wycombe, Luton, and Dundee over the years before spending the first part of this season playing for the Academy.
Matt Smith: Following a first-half of the season loan at Hull City, the 22-year-old midfielder has completed a permanent switch to MK Dons for a nominal fee that could reportedly rise to £500,000 depending on the Welshman's success, with a sell-on clause included.
Camron Gbadebo: Colchester United have completed the signing of the 19-year-old central defender who City signed from Leicester's academy in the winter of 2019/2020. Gbadebo experienced senior football on loan at AFC Fylde during the second half of 2020/21.
Sammy Robinson: Port Vale have completed the signing of the 20-year-old central defender on an initial 18-month deal – with City having a sell-on clause included. Robinson was promoted to the Elite Development Squad in January 2020.
Luka Ilic: Following an underwhelming second loan stint at FC Twente for the first half of this season, the 22-year-old Serbian midfielder has joined Troyes on a permanent deal until the summer of 2024.
Philippe Sandler: Feyenoord have completed the permanent signing of the 24-year-old central defender on a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend further. While the existence of a buy-back or sell-on clause has not been officially confirmed, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf suggested last night that a buy-back clause would be in place for City.
Erik Palmer-Brown: Troyes have announced the signing of the 24-year-old central defender on a contract until 2024, with the American having already spent the first half of the season on loan at the Ligue 1 club.
Ferran Torres: It's unusual to see a member of the first-team leave mid-season, but when Barcelona came knocking – offering an easier way to regular game time, Torres could not say no. The 21-year-old is believed to have struggled in adapting to life in Manchester, which is not a surprise when factoring in pandemic circumstances. A fee of £46.7million with £8.5million in add-ons was agreed for the Spain international.
OUTGOINGS - LOANS
Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Following the curtailment of his loan at Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht due to a lack of game time, the 20-year-old central defender secured a loan to Stoke City in the Championship for the remainder of the season.
James Trafford: Bolton Wanderers secured the services of the 19-year-old goalkeeper on loan for the remainder of the season following a less than ideal initial loan at Accrington Stanley in the first half of the season. Trafford has enjoyed a brilliant start to his Bolton loan, keeping three clean sheets in three – and registering an assist in the process.
Tommy Doyle: Championship side Cardiff City signed the 20-year-old midfielder on loan for the remainder of the season following a lack of regular game time at Hamburger SV in the first half of the season.
Finley Burns: Swansea City have secured the signature of the central defender for the rest of the season. Pep Guardiola likened the 18-year-old to a watch due to his precision following his senior debut for the club against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Oscar Tarensi: Girona B have signed the 19-year-old City academy full-back on loan for the remainder of the season.
Iker Pozo: The 21-year-old midfielder has not yet officially joined another club, but it is expected – as reported by the Manchester Evening News – that he will join Croatian side HNK Rijeka on loan until the summer. However, FC Eindhoven appear to be in the race for the Spaniard, too.
UNSUCCESSFUL MOVES:
Morgan Rogers: City were looking at sending the forward on another loan due to a lack of game time at Bournemouth, but interest in the 19-year-old seemingly did not result in an acceptable proposal on deadline day. Had City moved Rogers on from Bournemouth, they would have voided two varying purchase clauses in the player's Cherries' contract, which we covered in a previous report.
Written by: @NA1907_
Follow our Twitter account for reliable, live updates on all the latest news and everything Manchester City in real time.