Manchester City’s German wonderkid earns Bundesliga move

Manchester City have produced some extraordinary talents in recent years, many who have gone on to achieve heights. Phil Foden, Kieran Trippier, Kasper Schmeichel and Jadon Sancho are some high-profile names, among which Lukas Nmecha’s name is not quite often heard.

The City youth product, who shone for Germany in the recent U21 Euro Championship held in Slovakia and Hungary, has completed a move to the Bundesliga.

VfL Wolfsburg have reportedly signed the 22-year-old for approximately €13m (including add-ons) on a four-year contract deal, beating the likes of several other top clubs interested in his services such as RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The German U21 international stole the limelight in the recently held continental tournament by winning the Golden Boot, scoring 4 goals, including the solitary title-winning goal in the final against Portugal.

He has now moved to Germany having made just three first team appearances in Guardiola’s star studded side. Nevertheless, there’s a bright side to this transfer that will allow Nmecha to grow as a professional with regular first team minutes. City have added a buyback clause for any future transfer back to the club, as well as a 15% commission on any sale that Wolfsburg make on him.

Bundesliga.com have likened the versatile forward to Mario Gomez, even more so after his bullish performances for Anderlecht last season, where he banged in 21 goals in 41 appearances. Capable of donning multiple roles, Nmecha is flexible enough to attack through either flank. He has displayed his prowess the most when he has been given the freedom to occupy the left hand side of the final-third, in an inverted role and as an out and out striker.

Ever since graduating from City’s youth set-up and more specifically from the U23 side in 2017/18, he has spent three seasons on loan at different clubs – beginning with Preston North End in 2018/19. Nmecha spent an unfruitful first half of 2019/20 on loan at Wolfsburg, before being shipped to Middlesbrough for the rest of the calendar season, where failed to make an impact either.

But his best was yet to come. Just like how Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany lured academy product Taylor Harwood-Bellis last month to Belgium, Nmecha spent last season under the watchful eyes of the City legend and drew the attention of his current Wolfsburg coach Mark Van Bommel.

It seems like Nmecha has earned a well-deserved move amidst City’s transfer market strategy, which is focused on balancing the books to bring in high-profile attackers – with Harry Kane and Jack Grealish being the two most linked names.