They are set to spend millions this summer – but one of Manchester City's new boys for next season will not cost them a penny.
Jason Denayer, a pacy, stocky 19-year-old, is yet to make a first team appearance under Manuel Pellegrini.
But after a championship-winning season in Scotland that surpassed all expectations, he is now set to be fast-tracked into the Chilean's first-team squad to compete with their existing stable of centre halfs.
Jason Denayer made his international debut for Belgium on Sunday night in the win against France
Denayer lunges at France wide man Mathieu Valbuena at the Stade de France as Belgium won 4-3
Olivier Giroud had a quiet night against the Belgians, largely thanks to Denayer
The rise of the young Belgian has been dramatic.
A year ago, a few eyebrows were raised when he was loaned out to Celtic for a season.
The hurly-burly life in the Scottish Premier League seemed a big step for a quiet teenager but at City it seemed like a logical one.
Youth boss Patrick Vieira has long held the belief that youngsters do not get the physical 'men's football' they need in the Barclays Under 21 League.
The move was the equivalent of throwing Denayer in at the deep end and, on the banks of the Clyde, he has certainly not sunk.
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