Jeremie Frimpong has put pen to paper on a £29.5million five-year deal with Liverpool - as he becomes the latest Manchester City academy graduate to sign for a Premier League rival
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Jeremie Frimpong new signing of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on May 30, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong has signed for Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong has become the latest Manchester City academy graduate to team-up with one of their Premier League rivals. The 24-year-old full-back, who can also play on the wing, appears to be Arne Slot's replacement for an outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool, with the Englishman joined Real Madrid on May 30 after a nine-year tenure with his boyhood club.
Dutchman Frimpong, spent nine years with City in his youth, before signing his first professional contract with Celtic in 2019. After impressing in the Scottish Premiership for two years, Frimpong made the move to Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen - racking up 30 goals and providing 44 assists in 190 appearances in total before catching the eye of Premier League winners, Liverpool.
And as the summer transfer window opened on June 1, Slot and the Anfield board wasted no time in securing the services of the Netherlands international, with Frimpong putting pen to paper on a five-year deal for £29.5million. An incredibly highly-rated player, Manchester City may be rueing never offering Frimpong a professional contract at the Etihad Stadium.
It appears as though City have a bit of a track record for nurturing and moulding youth prospects before letting them ply their trade elsewhere - with a number of academy graduates going on to play for Premier League rivals, while others have landed deals with some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at 11 stars who could have been an asset to City, but instead, ended up signing for other clubs - as well as their current market value, according to Transfermarkt.
James Trafford - £18m
Despite spending six years of his youth with City, Trafford never got a chance to prove himself under Pep Guardiola - instead, enjoying loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, before being sold to Burnley in 2023 for £15m. Trafford has spent two seasons at Turf Moor to date, keeping 31 clean sheets in 73 games, and was imperative to the side's second-place finish in the EFL Championship this season.
However, Burnley could have easily won the league title. Tied on 100 points with Leeds United, superior goal difference saw the Peacocks clinch first place for 2024/25, although Burnley will still play Premier League football next season as a result of their placement.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford during the Sky Bet Championship match at Turf Moor
James Trafford never got a chance at City(Image: PA)
As for Trafford though, he could be on his way away from Turf Moor when the fresh campaign rolls around, with Newcastle United eyeing the shot stopper as a replacement for Nick Pope - who Leeds are respectively tracking. With a market value of £18.5m, the 22-year-old could be a steal for the Magpies.
Jeremie Frimpong - £42m
With a market value of £42m at present, Liverpool have managed to bag a bargain in signing Frimpong for just £29.5m. Speaking about the move with Liverpool's official website, the full-back said: "“It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.
"For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’, [speaking to] my agents: ‘Just get this done.' Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Jeremie Frimpong new signing of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on May 30, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong has signed for Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want."
Arriving at Anfield with a Bundesliga title, a DFB-Pokal and a DFL-Supercup to his name, many fans will be excited to see exactly what Frimpong can do in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.
Tosin Adarabioyo - £17m
Tosin Adarabioyo spent 13 years with Manchester City in his youth after making the move from Fletcher Moss Rangers in 2003 - and while he turned professional in 2016, he failed to make a single appearance for the Cityzens. Instead, the centre-half was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, with the latter becoming a permanent home in 2020.
WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea holds the trophy aloft at the end of the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Tosin Adarabioyo has seen success with Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
After four years at Craven Cottage, Adarabioyo impressed the top brass of Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea snagging the 27-year-old on a free last summer during Enzo Maresca's incredible overhaul. With 37 appearances to his name this campaign, Adarabioyo has certainly hit the ground running with the Blues, helping the side secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
He was also imperative in Chelsea's 2024/25 Europa League title, despite being relegated to the bench for the side's 4-1 win over Real Betis in last Wednesday's final. With a current market value estimated to be at £16.8m, City may be kicking themselves for letting the talent go.
Eric Garcia - £12m
Spanish centre-half, Eric Garcia, initially blossomed at the Barcelona youth academy between 2008 and 2017, before arriving at the Etihad - spending a further two years in player development before signing his first professional contract. Unlike many others on this list, however, Garcia did manage to secure game-time under Guardiola's first team - making 35 appearances for City and even receiving a Premier League winners' medal in 2020/21.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 11: Eric Garcia centre-back of Barcelona and Spain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Eric Garcia joined Barcelona in 2021(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, potentially realising the error of their ways, Barcelona brought Garcia back to the Camp Nou in 2021 on a free transfer, tying him down with a contract until the end of the 2025/26 season with a £337m release clause bestowed upon his contract.Since returning to the Spanish sunshine, Garcia has won to La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and a pair of Supercopa de Espanas.
At 24, Garcia has a current market value of around £12.6m, and it will be interesting to see if Barca offer him a new contract ahead of his current deal expiring, or if they will let him walk away once more.
Angelino - £12m
After enjoying time with Luis Calvo Sanz and Deportivo La Coruna in his formative years, Angelino arrived in north west England in 2013 at the age of 16 - spending another two years in the development sector of the club before signing professionally in 2015. After loan spells with New York City FC, Girona, Mallorca and NAC Breda, Angelino joined PSV Eindhoven in 2018 for a paltry £4.6m - having not made a single senior appearance at the Etihad.
TURIN, ITALY - MAY 25: Angelino of AS Roma celebrates during the Serie A match between Torino and Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Angelino currently plays for Roma(Image: Getty Images)
However, City seemingly made a huge mistake in letting the left-back go to the Eredivisie, as they utilised a buy-back clause and re-signed him after just one year at PSV for £5.3m. Despite high expectations, the 28-year-old totted up just 15 appearances for the side across all competitions, before he was once again sold on to RB Leipzig in 2021.
After failing to find his footing in the Bundesliga, Angelino arrived at Roma in 2024 for a reported £4.2m, where he has impressed since. According to Transfermarkt, his current market valuation sits at £12.6m, and he is under contract with I Giallorossi until 2028.
Romeo Lavia - £34m
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 4: Romeo Lavia of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on May 4, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Romeo Lavia spent a year in the City youth academy
Defensive midfielder, Romeo Lavia, spent just one year with City in his youth after spending the bulk of his younger years with Anderlecht, but again, failed to make his mark with the Premier League giants. Lavia managed no Premier League appearances for the Cityzens, instead, demoted to playing for the U21 side between 2021 and 2022, before moving to Southampton in a £10.5m deal.
After racking up 34 starts for the Saints in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, Lavia managed to avoid the relegation that his club suffered, as Chelsea snapped the 21-year-old up in a £53m deal. In the years since, the Belgian has made just 19 appearances for the side, and his market value has dropped to £33.7m - albeit, he is under contract until 2030.
Aleix Garcia - £16m
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - MAY 3: Aleix Garcia of Leverkusen looks on during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion on May 3, 2025 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Aleix Garcia's tenure with Manchester City was less than fruitful
Aleix Garcia arrived at City in the summer of 2015, before receiving his first Premier League start under Manuel Pellegrini in September 2016, but failed to find a permanent place in the starting XI of the talent-stacked side. The midfielder made just nine appearances in total for the club, instead enjoying loans with Girona and Mouscron before he was moved on to Dinamo Busceti in October 2020 in a free transfer.
A free move to Eibar ensued in January 2021, before the 27-year-old signed for Girona in the July - spending three years with the club. In 2025, Garcia finds himself as a staple of the Bayer Leverkusen team, and it will be interesting to see how the player adapts under the new management of Erik ten Hag when he arrives at the club in July. Under contract until July 2029, Garcia's market value is estimated to be at £16.8m.
Cole Palmer - £101m
Born and bred in Wythenshawe, Cole Palmer spent ten years of his youth with Manchester City before breaking into the first team in 2020. However, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder saw limited chances for game-time given the abundance of talent the club held.
WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates after with Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea scores a goal to make it 1-2 during the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Wrocaw Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Cole Palmer has been a standout for Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Palmer scored six goals and created two assists in 41 games across all competitions, before signing for Chelsea for a reported fgee of £40m in 2023 - a club where he has since gone on to be unplayable. With 40 goals and 27 assists in 91 appearances for the Blues, Palmer is considered to be one of Chelsea's most important players at present - and his £101m estimated market value is a testament to the skill that the youngster holds.
He has also impressed at international level with England since making the move to west London, receiving 11 caps for his nation and making his mark at Euro 2024 despite limited game-time under Gareth Southgate. The future is certainly bright for the versatile star, who can also play comfortably on the wing.
Michael Olise - £67m
Michael Olise had the chance of picking up vital experience at a number of England's most prestigious academies during his youth, bouncing between Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Reading before breaking through with the latter in 2019. Olise was immediately deployed by the Royals after turning pro in 2019, racking up seven goals and 14 assists over the course of two seasons before moving to Crystal Palace in a £8m move.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MAY 03: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich in action during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München at Red Bull Arena on May 03, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Michael Olise has been an asset to club and country
The 23-year-old held his own in the Premier League, enjoying three fruitful years at Selhurst Park before Bayern Munich came a-knocking in 2024 in a £50.7m move. With 50 appearances under his belt in the Bundesliga, Olise was essential to the Bavarians' league title this season, while he has also achieved six appearances with the French national team. His current market value sits at around £67m, but as he is under contract until 2029, Munich may not want to part ways with the winger any time soon.
Jadon Sancho - 23m
Jadon Sancho arrived at Manchester City as a youth in 2015 after spending the most part of his formative years with Watford. But he never got a chance with the Cityzens given the elite levels of talent they held when he turned professional in 2017.
WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Jadon Sancho of Chelsea celebrates victory after the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho has had a tricky career(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Without a single first-team appearance to his name, Sancho signed for Borussia Dortmund, going on to become a fan favourite at the Signal Iduna Park with a wealth of goals and assists. However, his career took a bit of a downturn when he returned to the north west of England to play for Manchester United in 2021.
In 2025, Sancho has managed just 12 goals and six assists for the Red Devils thus far, and saw a half-year loan spell with Chelsea for the back end of 2024/25 - where he once again failed to find his footing with just five goals to his name. While the Blues saw a £20m obligation to buy embedded into the winger's contract as part of his loan deal, they may instead choose to execute a £5m clause which will see him return to United instead.
With a market value estimated to be around £23m at present, and under contract until next summer, football fans may see Sancho find a new home in the current window.
Ellis Simms - 5m
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Ellis Simms of Coventry celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Bristol City and Coventry City at Ashton Gate on August 13, 2024 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Ellis Simms has thrived in the Championship(Image: Getty Images)
Striker Ellis Simms spent a brief period of his youth with Manchester City before moving on to the Everton academy, graduating in 2020. However, the 24-year-old has failed to cut the mustard at the highest level of English football thus far.
Simms made just 12 appearances for the Toffees between 2020 and 2023, instead enjoying loan spells with Blackburn, Hearts and Sunderland, before being sold to Coventry for an undisclosed fee. In 2025, the centre-forward has scored 26 goals for Coventry in the EFL Championship from 99 appearances. He has a market value estimated to be at £5m at the time of writing.
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