Manchester City centre-back joins Bundesliga side on loan – Purchase option included in deal | OneFootball

Hugo Viana and Manchester City have repositioned Jahmai Simpson-Pusey away from the Etihad Stadium for the second-half of the ongoing season.

The move brings clarity to a situation that has been developing for several weeks, following a difficult and ultimately curtailed loan spell in Scotland.

City officials had already signalled their intention to intervene in January, with Simpson-Pusey identified as one of several young defenders whose development pathway required immediate adjustment.

As previously reported, City made the decision to recall the centre-back from Celtic amid limited opportunities. That recall formed part of a broader review, which has also seen movement around other young defenders and loan placements across Europe.

From the player’s perspective, securing regular first-team football has been the overriding priority, and City staff have worked closely with Simpson-Pusey and his representatives to identify a destination that offers both competitive exposure and a clear sporting project.

Now, according to the information of Sky Germany, 1. FC Köln are set to sign Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan, following the termination of his original agreement with Celtic for the ongoing campaign.

Penning a deal until the end of the ongoing season, it has now also been revealed that the Bundesliga side will hold a purchase option in their loan for the 20-year-old, who will undergo a medical in Cologne on Sunday.

Further information from Fabrizio Romano reveals that Manchester City value the defender at £10 million, while Koln’s offer stands at around £5 million for the aforementioned clause. As for City’s future plans, they will have a buy back clause in an arrangement.

The structure of the deal underlines City’s continued belief in Simpson-Pusey’s long-term potential. While Köln will have the option to make the move permanent, City have protected themselves by retaining future control, ensuring the defender can be brought back to the Etihad Stadium should his development accelerate in the Bundesliga.

For Köln, the move represents an opportunity to add a young, physical centre-back with Premier League pedigree to their squad for the second half of the season, and regular minutes in Germany’s top flight could prove pivotal in reigniting Simpson-Pusey’s momentum.

Attention will now turn to how quickly the defender can integrate into his new surroundings and whether sustained performances in the Bundesliga can place him back into Manchester City’s longer-term defensive planning ahead of the summer window.