Manchester City could have had a line -up full of superstars – without paying a cent.
The City Academy has produced a few precious stones in recent years, but few remain in the club.
Pep Guardiola has Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis at his disposal thanks to the youth department, but is ready to spend hundreds of millions to renew his team this summer.
Instead, City could already have some of the most talented players in the competition at their disposal if they were held on to them.
In the question, striker Liam Delap was released last summer and is on the radar of various Prem clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, just like former city goalkeeper James Trafford.
Chelsea have been large beneficiaries of the design of City's Academy and now has three former Cityzens – Colmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo.
The blues are also linked to another ex-city star, Morgan Rogers.
The midfielder is a striking player for Aston Villa this season and earned his first English caps.
Another player who could take a step this summer is Jeremie Frimpong, who played for the City Academy between 2010 and 2019 before moving to Celtic.
The right back has since helped Bayer Leverkusen to win the Bundesliga and can make a £ 33 million switch to Liverpool when the transfer window recovers.
Two other city players have also made an impression abroad – Michael Olise in Bayern Munich and Eric Garcia, who wants to win Laliga with Barcelona.
The former Academy stars of City have cost nothing for the club to get in, and some have since collected eye-water rates.
It seems that the club will break the bank again to return to the title -winning ways.
The top priority of City is Leverkusen Talisman Florian Wirtz, who could cost a record £ 126 million.
City has also approached AC Milan to sign Tijjani Reijnders, although they still have to make an offer.
Milan wants about £ 60 million for the Dutch midfielder, which would make him their greatest sales in their history.
While Newcastle Full-Back Tino Livramento is also on the Pep Guardiola radar.