The City Football Academy has produced some fantastic footballers, although only a few have stayed at Manchester City.
Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly are currently starring in the senior side under Pep Guardiola, but other youth products have taken their talents elsewhere, such as Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Romeo Lavia.
Lukas Nmecha was another very exciting talent to emerge from the Etihad Stadium before leaving to join VfL Wolfsburg back in July 2021 – although he is now set to face Manchester City with Leeds United next season.
Lukas Nmecha to make Etihad Stadium return as Leeds United close in
Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post has now revealed that the Germany international is returning to England with Leeds United, and the deal will be made official on July 1st.
Leeds United close to completing their first signing of the summer. Attacker Lukas Nmecha, 26. Out of contract at Wolfsburg, so he's a free signing. Will be official from July 1.#lufc
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) June 15, 2025
Nmecha has run down his contract with VfL Wolfsburg, and after 19 goals in 85 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, the striker is set to face Manchester City for the first time next season, after Leeds United – who want James McAtee – secured promotion back to the Premier League last term.
What Pep Guardiola and Vincent Kompany have already said about Lukas Nmecha at Manchester City
Having listened to what Guardiola and Vincent Kompany once said about the 26-year-old, it is slightly surprising the German hasn’t had an even better career so far.
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Nmecha once revealed that Kompany told him he could “make it” to footballing stardom after playing against the striker in training, saying: “Kompany roughs me up in training but he’s really given me a lot of confidence, because he’s played against the best strikers in the world and he’s telling me I can make it.”
Former Man City striker Lukas Nmecha with a moment of magic for Wolfsburg 🪄
Composure and a top finish 🥶#UCL pic.twitter.com/W3b9b8DDbu
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 2, 2021
Guardiola echoed this praise, revealing: “Lukas has great prospects. He’s hungry, he takes in everything you tell him.”
Unfortunately, the presence of superstars such as Sergio Aguero and then Erling Haaland prevented Nmecha from realising his vast potential in Manchester, but he could now return to haunt the Citizens with Leeds United, who Kalvin Phillips wants to join, next season.