Jahmai Simpson-Pusey attracting transfer interest from Championship and Scottish Premiership clubs | OneFootball

Manchester City’s highly-rated centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is attracting transfer interest over a possible first loan move of his senior playing career.

The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the standout talents from Manchester City’s Academy system over the past 18 months, rising through the youth ranks to captain the club’s Under-18 side and eventually break into Pep Guardiola’s senior set-up.

His progress during the 2024/25 campaign has earned widespread admiration both inside and outside of the Etihad Stadium, with several clubs now keen to secure his services on a temporary deal to support his development with regular first-team football.

Having signed a professional contract in July 2023, Simpson-Pusey led City’s Under-18s to FA Youth Cup glory and was entrusted with the armband in the UEFA Youth League, underlining both his leadership qualities and technical maturity.

His performances did not go unnoticed by Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff, as the young centre-back was included in Manchester City’s pre-season tour squad the following summer, featuring against AC Milan and Celtic.

Simpson-Pusey’s rise continued during the 2024/25 season, when he made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup away at Tottenham, followed by a Champions League start against Sporting CP. Just days later, he was handed his Premier League debut at the Amex Stadium against Brighton, capping off a breakthrough campaign that saw him ultimately named Premier League 2 Player of the Season.

Now, according to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is attracting interest from ‘multiple’ clubs in the Scottish Premiership and EFL Championship over a season-long loan.

City are expected to be open to a loan move for Simpson-Pusey, with the club keen to secure a development path similar to that which benefitted players like Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Callum Doyle in recent seasons.

Championship clubs are likely to see the teenager as a ready-made fit for senior minutes at a competitive level, while sides north of the border are expected to be attracted by his physical presence, aerial dominance, and ability to play in possession-heavy systems.

The player himself is likely to be open to a temporary move, recognising the importance of consistent first-team exposure at this stage in his career. While Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for Simpson-Pusey’s attitude and maturity during his early involvement with the senior squad, the sheer depth of talent in City’s defensive line means immediate minutes could be hard to come by during the 2025/26 season.

Should a suitable loan be agreed in the coming weeks, Simpson-Pusey could follow in the footsteps of several recent Academy graduates who have used moves away from Manchester to accelerate their development.