Rico Lewis receives ‘double your salary’ offer from Premier League giants | OneFootball

Manchester City may face an uphill battle to persuade Rico Lewis into remaining at the Etihad Stadium this summer, amid growing interest from within the Premier League.

The versatile right-back, who has been a standout figure since breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first-team setup, has seen his future placed under question in recent weeks.

Despite being a product of City’s highly successful Academy system, the 20-year-old has yet to agree terms on a fresh contract with Etihad Stadium officials, perhaps leaving an opening for rival clubs to make their move.

Manchester City had made extending Lewis’ stay a clear priority earlier this summer, with senior officials engaging in negotiations to reward him with improved terms. However, progress has stalled, and the club now finds themselves at risk of losing one of their most prized homegrown talents.

The emergence of Nottingham Forest’s ambitious interest has added fresh urgency to the situation, particularly after they successfully sealed the high-profile signing of fellow Academy graduate James McAtee.

Lewis’ potential availability has not gone unnoticed elsewhere either, with other Premier League clubs keeping tabs on his situation. His adaptability to operate across multiple defensive and midfield roles only strengthens his appeal, ensuring that City’s stance on his future could become one of the most significant storylines of the closing weeks of the window.

According to the information of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Nottingham Forest are now willing to double Rico Lewis’ wages to sign the Manchester City talent, who in turn is believed to be mulling over the move to the City Ground.

For Manchester City, the equation is becoming increasingly complex. Having already sanctioned McAtee’s £30 million permanent move to Forest, the possibility of losing Lewis in the same window would highlight a major shift in the club’s approach to balancing their Academy output with first-team planning.

Manchester City have been keen to insert buy-back clauses into recent Academy exits, a strategy that ensures future flexibility while still generating immediate revenue. Speculation will now turn towards Guardiola’s own stance, as the Catalan coach has been a vocal admirer of Lewis’ maturity, tactical awareness, and ability to transition seamlessly into different roles.

If City were to lose him, it would not only be a financial and contractual matter but also a sporting setback, given how he has slotted into the side in recent seasons. The coming weeks could therefore prove decisive.

Forest’s bold offer places the onus firmly on City to act, either by returning to the negotiating table with improved terms or accepting that Lewis’ development may continue elsewhere.

In the meantime, Rico Lewis appears to be placing full focus on the pitch and was one of the star performer’s on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, contributing immensely with an assist along the way to City’s 0-4 win over Wolves at Molineux.

Lewis himself has also publicly committed his services to the Etihad Stadium, as he told reporters from the Midlands, “For me, I’ve never, ever seen myself at a different club.

“I’ve always wanted to play for City. It’s my dream club, and like you see today, when I’m playing with the kind of players that I’m playing with, it brings out the best in me, so I’m so happy.”