Manchester City risk losing a crop of talented youngsters with five players in the under-16 side yet to sign scholarship deals, sources have told ESPN FC.
Five of the 11 players offered scholarship deals have not signed as they fear there is no room for progression at the club.
The current group of U16 players is regarded as one of the best to emerge from the City academy in recent years and they are unbeaten in competitive games this season, including a 4-2 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
Sources said the players are stalling on the signing scholarship terms as they have doubts over their pathway into senior football if they remain at City and could seek moves elsewhere.
City have made no secret of their desire to begin developing their own players, having launched the City Football Academy at a cost of around £200 million in December 2014.