Man City can end transfer market in profit for second year running after Mahrez and Borges deals

Manchester City continue to sell players for hefty transfer fees as they seek a deal to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.

In the eyes of Manchester City’s critics, the Blues have always and will always roll out their blank checkbook in the transfer market, in order to maintain their squad with two world-class players at the ready. Or something like that.

While City have certainly spent the money, the reality – especially in recent seasons – is at odds with the lazy prejudice cast into their name. The Blues made a profit in the transfer market last summer and are likely to do so again this year, underscoring the importance of the academy and transfer department.

Mateo Kovacic has been the sole appearance this summer so far, with Josko Gvardiol the target to bolster the defence. Ilkay Gundogan is leaving on a free transfer, Under-21 captain Shea Charles joins Southampton, while Riyad Mahrez, James Trafford and Carlos Borges look set to follow them out of the Etihad.

When things settled, City bought Kovacic for £25m (rising to £30m with add-ons) and sold Charles for £10.5m (up to £15m). Trafford will increase the upcoming total by £15m (potentially to £19m).Pedro Porro’s permanent move to Tottenham also brings City around £10m in sales fees from the deal that saw Porro join Sporting, meaning City have raised £35.5m to date, with £8.5m likely to rise further.

Mahrez did not take the pre-season tour to complete a move to Al Ahli, which would see City receive up to £30m, as it emerged on Thursday that 29-goal under-21 striker Carlos Borges could be on the way, with West Ham working on a £14m move. If Mahrez and Borges go (and Trafford’s move to Burnley is confirmed), City will raise between £78m and £87m.

Kyle Walker’s future is far from assured with City facing a transfer fee if he joins Bayern Munich and with others also hinting at a departure, City’s arrival this summer could surpass the £100m mark for the second straight season.

Youngsters like Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and even Cole Palmer could increase their transfer budget, as could ex-midfielder Romeo Lavia thanks to a sell-out clause should he leave Southampton.

Kovacic’s £ , is the cheaper the more deals are made in the Premier League, while the money already raised could potentially pay for Gvardiol depending on how much City can lower Leipzig’s price. Assuming City have spent around £90m on Gvardiol then around £30m more would be enough to break even this summer provided the above deals go through and the talent can be sold for over £30m.

Any successor to Walker or Mahrez could be signed knowing that City continue to earn hefty transfer fees for every player sold, from hat-tricks to youngsters with no first-team appearances.