Transfer Centre

Rico Lewis 'on verge of signing new Manchester City contract'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 May 2023

Rico Lewis 'on verge of signing new Man City contract'

Manchester City starlet Rico Lewis is close to putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions, according to a report.

Manchester City protege Rico Lewis is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new contract with the Premier League champions.

The 18-year-old has risen through the academy ranks to enjoy a breakthrough year under Pep Guardiola during the 2022-23 campaign.

Lewis has racked up 20 first-team appearances for Man City in the current season, scoring his first goal for the club in their 3-1 Champions League win over Sevilla in November.

The 2004-born defender has 11 Premier League appearances to his name so far, making seven starts in the top flight and appearing in a further four off the bench.

After eight successive matches as an unused substitute, Lewis started and played the full 90 in an inverted role during Saturday's 2-1 win over Leeds United, as Guardiola keeps John Stones fresh for Tuesday's European semi-final first leg with Real Madrid.

Rico Lewis in action for Manchester City on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

Lewis, who has been on the books at Man City since 2013, is due to become a free agent at the end of next season, but the Citizens have always been expected to tie him down to fresh terms.

According to 90min, talks between Lewis and Man City over a new deal have now reached their final stages, and both parties are close to reaching a full agreement.

The report states that City have been engaging in dialogue with Lewis's representatives since the start of the year, and the teenager should put pen to paper imminently.

Guardiola apparently views Lewis as an ideal successor to Kyle Walker, whose future at the Etihad is being called into question ahead of the expiry of his contract in 2024.

With Guardiola now favouring to use Stones in an inverted position, Walker has often been consigned to the bench in 2023, as Guardiola publicly claimed that the 32-year-old cannot function in such a role.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker pictured on January 8, 2023 © Reuters

Aston Villa and AC Milan are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments should Walker be allowed to leave this summer, and it is believed that he eventually wants to return to boyhood club Sheffield United.

West Ham United have also been credited with an interest in the England international, who is believed to be keen to stay with Man City for the 2023-24 season despite his decreasing game time.

Aymeric Laporte, another defender who has been on the fringes of Guardiola's setup this term, is also being tipped to depart this summer, but the Spain international recently hinted that he wanted to continue in Manchester.

With Nathan Ake coming off injured in Saturday's win over Leeds, both Walker and Laporte could battle to start in place of the Dutchman at the Bernabeu in midweek, as they seek to avenge last year's thrilling 6-5 aggregate loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League semis.