Manchester City are reportedly planning to tie 17-year-old right-back Rico Lewis down to a new long-term contract.
The academy graduate scored a memorable goal on his full debut for the Citizens in the 3-1 Champions League win at home against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
In doing so, Lewis became City's youngest-ever goalscorer in Champions League history as well as the youngest player to score on his first start in the competition, breaking the previous record held by 2022 Golden Boot winner Karim Benzema.
Born in Bury, Lewis joined City's academy at the age of eight and has worked his way through the youth ranks before making his senior debut as a substitute in the 4-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth in August.
Prior to this season, Lewis made his Under-18s debut at the age of just 15 and was named captain of the squad for the 2021-22 campaign.
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Lewis recorded three goals and two assists in 21 appearances for the Premier League 2 champions and his performances were recognised as he was named the Under-18s Player of the Year.
Pep Guardiola decided to include Lewis in his senior squad for City's pre-season tour of the USA, and the right-back has since featured five times across all competitions under the Spanish boss.
Lewis is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2025, but journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that City are planning to extend the teenager's deal.
After Lewis left the pitch to a standing ovation from the Etihad faithful against Sevilla, Guardiola stated that the defender has earned his place in the first team and he believes he has "something special".
"We don't give presents here," Guardiola told BBC Sport. "He had to earn it. The people love players from the academy but we see him every day. We know he has quality and I am really happy for him.
"He played for a few minutes against Bayern Munich in pre-season and also in the training sessions. We felt he had something special.
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"The players didn't know him before. But you know good players in two minutes. They knew they could rely on him 100%."
City recently tied fellow academy graduate Phil Foden down to a new long-term contract, with the 22-year-old extending his deal until the summer of 2027.
Earlier this year, Riyad Mahrez, Rodri, Joao Cancelo and Scott Carson also signed contract extensions with the Premier League champions.
However, the future of City captain Ilkay Gundogan remains uncertain as his current deal is due to expire next summer.
The Citizens are allegedly fearing that the 32-year-old midfielder may decide to leave the club on a free transfer, with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Galatasaray thought to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Oliver Thomas
