It’s a market clubs at Carlisle United’s level can’t afford to ignore.
And, as top clubs in the country decide which of their academy products they are letting go, could any of them come on the Blues’ radar?
Given the numbers of under-18 and under-23 players on top-flight books each season, the summer brings a host of young players onto the market.
Here we take a look at some of those leaving Premier League and Championship clubs who could be looking for a move down the divisions.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies have announced the departures of 13 academy products.
Among them is Tom Allan, the winger who has one senior appearance to his name for Newcastle.
That came in the FA Cup against Rochdale in January 2020, when he played more than half-an-hour as a substitute.
After an amazing 10 years at my boyhood club it’s time to move on. To have had the chance to play infront of you amazing fans and my family is something I’ll never forget. Thank you @nufc 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/OIeHyTGWt6
— TomAllan (@Tom_Allan99) May 26, 2022
He has had loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Morton, and now joins fellow under-23s Ryan Barrett, Brad Cross, Mo Sangare, Regan Thomson, Jake Turner and Adam Wilson on the hunt for a new club. Another, Oisin McEntee, has already joined Walsall.
From the under-18 ranks, meanwhile, Piotr Banda, Liam Chrystal, Joel Green, Josh Nicholson and Nathan Robertson have been let go.
MANCHESTER UNITED
While a formal retained list has not yet been revealed, one young player has already confirmed his departure.
Striker D’Mani Mellor has announced he is leaving Old Trafford at the end of his contract.
Mellor came through the Old Trafford academy and featured in a Europa League match against FC Astana.
The 21-year-old has also spent time out on loan with Salford City, making three appearances.
After being with Man Utd since the age of eight, Mellor is now seeking a new home.
LIVERPOOL
The Champions League finalists have not confirmed a formal released list yet.
But reports have already said that Elijah Dixon-Bonner will be among those leaving Anfield.
The 21-year-old midfielder and England youth international has made three first-team appearances.
But he looks set to be moving on at the expiry of his contract.
QPR
Eleven young players are leaving the Loftus Road club.
Departing after spells in the academy are Brandon Aveiro, Amrit Bansal-McNulty, Nathan Carlyle, Franklin Domi, Jake Frailing, Max Little, Tom Middlehurst, Marco Ramkilde, Shiloh Remy, Kayden Williams-Lowe and Kai Wollard-Innocent.
Former Denmark youth international Ramkilde leaves after an injury-hit spell, having joined the Rs from AaB.
Others in the exodus have been on loan either in the EFL, such as Bansal-McNulty (Crawley Town) or non-league.
READING
Four graduates of the Royals academy are looking for new clubs.
They are Ethan Bristow, Lynford Sackey, Malachi Talent-Aryeetey and Jordan Addo-Antoine.
Defender Bristow, 20, has 11 first-team appearances to his name.
A fifth young player released, keeper James Holden, has already been snapped up by Cambridge United.
SUNDERLAND
Upon promotion to the Championship, the Black Cats released three second-year youth players: Samuel Irons, Lakhraj Singh Lohia and Luke Chapman.
From the slightly older ranks, emerging pros departing the Stadium of Light include striker Will Harris, who was on loan at Barrow last season, and defender Tyrese Dyce.
Vinnie Steels, Ugonna Emenike, Stephen Wearne, Sam Wilding, Patrick Almond, Nicky Gyimah, Kenton Richardson, Jack McIntyre and Cieran Dunne are among the others departing.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Connor Malley, who was on loan at United in 2021/22, is among the young Boro players seeking a new club.
Malley was on loan at Gateshead last season and the attacking midfielder is now hoping to find a new home.
Rumarn Burrell, who also has first-team experience at Boro, has also been let go by the Teessiders.
Also leaving the club are Harry Green, Malik Dijksteel, Alberto Balde, Josh Marshall, Lucas Howe, Alex Hutchinson and Jacob Bulmer.
LUTON TOWN
After coming close to Championship promotion, the Hatters have bade farewell to development squad players TQ Addy, Sam Beckwith, Corey Panter and Jake Peck.
Under-18s moving on are Eddie Corbit, Adam Wedd, Matt Moloney and Ben Stevens.
SWANSEA CITY
There is a 12-player exodus from the Welsh club’s academy this summer.
On their way are Scott Butler, Rio Campbell, Ben Erickson, Cameron Evans, Jaden Forrester, Jacob Jones, Dylan Morgan, Ryan Bassett, Joshua Edwards, Aaron Hillier, Dylan Perkins and Tyler Evans.
Also from the pro ranks, young keeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen is leaving.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries, heading back to the Premier League, have said farewell to three academy players.
Owen Palmer, Aaron Roberts and Jack Seddon are looking for new clubs.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
A familiar name on the Baggies released list is Owen Windsor, who was on loan with the Blues last season.
He is one of nine young players leaving the Hawthorns.
Windsor is joined by Jamie Soule, Aurio Teixeira, Kevin Joshua, Zak Delaney, Mark Chidi, MacKenzie Lamb, Leon MacHisa and Daniel Ngoma in leaving the club.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
The Ewood Park club have released scholars Joe Ferguson, Brandon Londsale and Evan Cunningham.
Luke Brennan, Connor McBride, Sam Durrant and Joe Nolan are young pros also departing the Championship outfit.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
The Blues’ eight-man released list includes young players such as Renedi Masampu, Archie Matthews, Oriol Soldevila, Kane Thompson-Sommers and Yoane Zohore.
NORWICH CITY
Relegated from the Premier League, the Canaries are sending several academy graduates out to find pastures new.
Reece McAlear, who has one first-team appearance to his name, is leaving along with home-grown colleagues Aston Oxborough, Nelson Khumbeni, Solomon Alidor-Hamilton and Olatunde Okeowo.
PRESTON NORTH END
Ethan Walker, the former United loan attacker, is among the Deepdale players looking for a new club.
Other young pros leaving include Jack Baxter, Oliver Lombard, Mathew Hudson, Joe Rodwell-Grant and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson.
Second-year scholars on their way out at the Lilywhites, meanwhile, are Declyn Duggan, Teddy Mfuni, Joe Blanchard, Levi Lewis and Vaughn Green.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Promoted Wigan have let go several under-18s.
They are Adam Brooks, Sam Campbell, Arthur Lomax, Sam Owens, Dan Smith and Levi Welsh.
COVENTRY CITY
Young defender Josh Pask, who was on loan at Newport last season, is leaving the Sky Blues from their pro ranks.
Jonny Ngandu and Aaron Evans-Harriott are departing from the Under-23 squad.
READ MORE: The 10 ex-Carlisle United players currently available on a free transfer
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