Rico Lewis admits desire to stay at Manchester City amid Nottingham Forest interest | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has revealed a desire to remain at the Etihad Stadium amid interest in his signature from Nottingham Forest this summer.

The 20-year-old has been a central talking point of City’s summer window, with his future increasingly uncertain despite the club’s preference to keep him in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Academy graduates have been a theme of recent movements around the Etihad, with James McAtee sealing a switch to Nottingham Forest, and other prospects such as Sverre Nypan and Claudio Echeverri weighing up loan opportunities.

Lewis, however, appears more focused on carving out a place in Pep Guardiola’s plans. His versatility, capable of operating both as a right-back and an inverted midfielder, makes him one of the more unique talents to emerge from City’s Academy in recent years.

Guardiola has regularly praised Lewis’ maturity, while also challenging him to keep raising his levels in order to dislodge senior options within the squad. That ambition has drawn the attention of other Premier League sides, most notably Nottingham Forest, who see him as an ideal fit to strengthen their own project.

Earlier reports suggested Forest were willing to table a package worth more than £30 million to secure Lewis, with the added lure of doubling his current salary to tempt him away from Manchester. City, meanwhile, were believed to be prioritising new contract discussions, though no agreement had been finalised ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters after City’s 0-4 win over Wolves in the Premier League’s opening weekend, Rico Lewis insisted upon his firm desire to remain at the Etihad Stadium amid interest from Nottingham Forest.

“I’ve never ever seen myself at a different club – I’ve always wanted to play for (Manchester) City. It’s my dream club,” Lewis told reporters, as quoted by MailSport.

The Manchester City Academy graduate continued, “And like you see (at Wolves), 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.”

Offering further insight into his role in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, Lewis said, “It’s difficult. Everyone wants assurance and security, but at the end of the day, it’s on me. It’s on me to perform. It’s on me to take the chances when I do.

“After that, there’s nothing I can’t blame myself (for). If I take my own chances, I do it. If I don’t, then I have to work and get better. Last season I played more than the season before, this season I want to play more than last season, so it’s always the same goal – becoming an established player.”

For City, the challenge now may be balancing Lewis’ long-term commitment with immediate offers that represent significant financial value. Forest’s willingness to pay a premium, both in transfer fee and salary, demonstrates just how highly regarded the teenager has become within Premier League circles.

While Guardiola will be keen to retain a player who fits seamlessly into his tactical system, much may depend on the outcome of contract negotiations. If City cannot tie Lewis down to improved terms, Forest could be emboldened to make another move before the deadline.

For now, Rico Lewis’ own words will no doubt reassure Manchester City supporters, but the coming weeks will show whether his loyalty is tested further as rival clubs circle.