Ipswich Town secure signing of Manchester City forward – Buy-back clause agreed | OneFootball

Championship side Ipswich Town have secured an agreement with Manchester City for one of the Etihad Stadium’s brightest young prospects.

The deal centres around Luca Fletcher, who has been making waves since joining City’s Academy from Reading, with his stock rising significantly over the past two years through consistent goal contributions and recognition at youth level.

Fletcher’s blend of acceleration, physicality, and clinical finishing ability has made him one of the most exciting forwards to emerge from Reading’s Academy in recent years, before he was snapped up by the then-Premier League champions.

Prior to joining City in 2023, Fletcher had reportedly rejected a two-year professional deal at Reading, instead opting to take the step into City’s elite youth system. His decision proved telling, as within a year he signed his first professional contract at the Etihad Stadium, further underlining his trajectory.

During the 2023/24 campaign, Fletcher recorded 10 goals and four assists in 17 Under-18 Premier League matches, underlining his natural eye for goal and versatility across the front line.

His rise was not only evident on the pitch, but also off it. Fletcher won Reading’s ‘Academy Player of the Season’ award in May 2023 before his switch to Manchester City, and later signed with Roc Nation Sports to manage his career.

Now, according to the information of journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ipswich Town have agreed on a loan deal with an obligation to buy for 18-year-old rising Manchester City talent.

It is further revealed that the subsequent permanent agreement also includes a buy-back and sell-on clause as is usual for Manchester City outgoings regarding highly-rated prospects.

The inclusion of a buy-back clause ensures City will retain control over Fletcher’s long-term future, should his progress in senior football reach expected levels.

This approach has become standard practice for the club in recent years, particularly with academy products and highly-rated teenagers – James McAtee’s current situation and the earlier sale of players like James Trafford and Romeo Lavia provide notable examples.

For Ipswich, Fletcher represents an ambitious move as they look to consolidate themselves in the Championship with an eye on Premier League promotion. His pace, versatility, and sharp finishing could offer Kieran McKenna’s side an added dimension in attack.

As for City, this move fits neatly into their long-term development model. While Fletcher may not yet be ready for Premier League action, success in the Championship could accelerate his path back to the Etihad Stadium – particularly if the buy-back option is exercised further down the line.