Premier League champions Manchester City continue their summer directive of reinforcing their academy ranks in the northwest of England after completing a deal for former West Ham United academy starlet Jamal Baptiste.
The 19-year-old England youth international recently ran down his deal with the Hammers in the search for greater first-team involvement despite being at the academy since the age of eight.
Per Fabrizio Romano, City has secured the England U19 defender on a free transfer but ultimately plans to ship him off to Belgian Challenger Pro League side and City Football Group affiliate Lommel SK under manager Steve Bould.
Manchester City set to complete Jamal Baptiste deal as revealed yesterday — it’s done for 2003 CB who joins on free transfer from West Ham. 🔵✍🏻 #MCFC
Understand City will sign Baptiste and then loan him out to Belgian City Group side Lommel. ↪️🇧🇪
Busy summer for City Academy. pic.twitter.com/qWtD9H5AbB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2023
Since being acquired by City Group in May 2020, Lommel has already benefitted via their direct link to the English hegemon, having previously taken on board the likes of Diego Rosa, Marlos Moreno, Thomas Agyepong, and Daniel Arzani.
However, history could work against Baptiste given the aforementioned City youngsters never made a senior appearance for the club, which calls into question what the true long-term plan for Baptiste ultimately will be moving forward.
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