Manchester City striker who scored 61 goals in 97 matches is about to leave Etihad

Matty Warhurst, 19-year-old Manchester City striker, is preparing to leave the club this summer, with many teams from the Championship to League Two interested in his signature. The upcoming 2026/27 season will mark an important turning point in this young player's career, when playing in youth teams no longer meets his career development needs.

While Erling Haaland's outstanding achievements continue to make headlines, the path from the academy to the first team is becoming increasingly narrow for Manchester City's central strikers. The recruitment of Elliot Anderson for a record price of 116 million pounds and the integration of versatile strikers under the guidance of coach Enzo Maresca makes the opportunity for traditional strikers to play at Etihad Stadium more difficult than ever.

Realizing this situation, Warhurst's representative began working with Manchester City management to plan his departure from the team, to ensure that he would have the opportunity to play more regularly. According to information from MailSport, this young striker has scored 61 goals in 97 matches at the City Football Academy and is currently in the final year of his contract at Etihad.

Warhurst is looking for a foray into professional football, with interest from the likes of Stockport County, Swindon Town, Cambridge United, Northampton Town and Burton Albion. As for Manchester City, sporting director Hugo Viana is expected to include a profit-sharing clause in any deal, especially as the team still appreciates Warhurst's potential but also recognizes that finding opportunities to play in the first team is very difficult.

From a management perspective, Hugo Viana is viewing Warhurst's departure from the team as a beneficial deal, aimed at protecting the club's long-term financial health. By implementing a reasonable pre-agreed fee, accompanied by a large percentage of future profits, Manchester City are applying a plan that has proven successful in the transfer deals of young players in the past. With pre-season training scheduled to begin on July 20, Manchester City's board will look to complete the deal in the coming weeks, ensuring a smooth transition for both the players and the EDS squad.

Read more on our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.