£25m Man City transfer budget boost at risk as 'problem child' struggles after summer deal

Manchester City have quietly spent the last few years smashing the stereotype that they only buy their way to success.

Last year City raised just over £175m in transfer fees, helped by a club record sale of Julian Alvarez. The year before it was £179m. It's a trend that is helped by a strong record of selling academy players for millions, but also achieving high fees for first team players who want to leave.

The City Football Group also helps - City can loan players out to give them experience and exposure, before making big profits. One of the more successful examples of that is Yan Couto, who is in line to pocket City around £20m profit next summer.

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After helping Girona into the Champions League last season and making the Brazil squad, Couto was linked with many clubs in Europe's top leagues before ending up at Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund on loan.

That deal included an obligation to buy for £25m - conditional on certain sporting requirements to be met. It was painted as a straight obligation, suggesting those conditions would be expected to be met.

However, Couto is yet to properly establish himself at the Westfalenstadion with Dortmund seventh in the Bundesliga after six games. He has only started two league games - the final two before the international break - and one further Champions League game in seven total appearances.

An article in Bild this week named him as one of three 'problem children' in the Dortmund squad this season, saying he 'often loses the ball, which creates dangerous chances for the opposition'. The piece continues to say there is plenty of room to improve defensively, and despite some 'bright spots' in attack that is 'still not enough for a player of his quality'.

"To really add value to BVB, he needs to improve significantly," the piece concludes.

From City's perspective, as long as he is playing he will be closer to triggering those sporting requirements. - and his past form for Girona and Braga suggest it is only a matter of time. He is still expected to move permanently in the summer.

It is in their interests, however, for Couto to get up to speed quickly. The more CFG or academy players who impress on the big stage, the more they will be able to charge in the future.