Rico Lewis pens five-year deal at Man City after rejecting Nottingham Forest transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City right-back Rico Lewis has signed a new five-year deal at the club, ending any interest from Premier League rivals.

The Man City academy graduate is poised to continue with his boyhood club.

Lewis said (via MCFC’s website), “Man City mean everything to me, so to have been given the opportunity to sign this new contract is such a special moment both for me personally and my family.”

The 20-year-old is already a crucial member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, making 97 appearances across all competitions, bagging five goals and 10 assists.

Lewis has helped City win seven senior trophies, including two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Community Shield.

His ability to excel at right-back and as a hybrid midfielder has impressed the Spanish tactician, who lauded the youngster as a ‘big talent’ and ‘one of the best I ever trained by far’.

Lewis’ future was uncertain for a while this summer as Nottingham Forest launched a move to sign the five-cap England international.

Forest lodged a €25 million plus €5 million bid to sign him as they looked to provide Ola Aina with competition, but City rejected the offer and kept hold of the player.

Manchester City were also linked with a move for Southampton right-back Valentino Livramento, as Guardiola wanted to strengthen that position, which led to speculation about Lewis’ future.

However, long-serving stalwart Kyle Walker left for Burnley, leaving Lewis as the only natural right-back, with the manager forced to shoehorn Matheus Nunes into the position.

Man City did not manage to snap up Livramento as Newcastle refused to let go, and it remains unclear whether the Cityzens will return for his signature.

The FA Cup finalists look set to continue with Lewis and Nunes in the right-back position. The former’s long-term future remains at the Etihad Stadium.