Manchester City focus on two more first-team stars after Ruben Dias contract renewal | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City are set to turn their attentions to contract negotiations involving two other major first-team stars after a breakthrough with Ruben Dias.

The Portuguese centre-back has reached an agreement in principle on a new long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium, securing his future beyond the expiry of his current agreement in the summer of 2027.

Dias’ extension marks another important step in Manchester City’s squad evolution and comes after internal recognition of his influence both on and off the pitch since joining from Benfica late on in the 2020 summer market.

Ruben Dias’ deal also arrives at a time of considerable transition for the club behind the scenes. With Txiki Begiristain officially leaving his post as Director of Football this summer, Sporting CP’s Hugo Viana has stepped into the role full-time, immediately taking on responsibility for player retention and long-term squad planning.

Dias is one of several names Manchester City consider to be part of the club’s next great cycle, and while the centre-back’s renewal marks progress, the club is now shifting resources to lock in two of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted and high-performing players.

According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, after securing Dias’ future with terms being finalised alongside the defender’s representatives, Manchester City bosses will step up attempts to agree new long-term deals with both Rodri and Phil Foden.

Rodri, widely regarded as the world’s best defensive midfielder and the fulcrum of Pep Guardiola’s system, has emerged as arguably Manchester City’s most irreplaceable player. Since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2019, the Spain international has developed into a consistent match-winner and one of the club’s most reliable performers.

Phil Foden, meanwhile, enjoyed his best individual campaign to date in 2023/24, collecting the FWA Footballer of the Year award and featuring highly in Manchester City’s scoring charts en route to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title. With continued links to the club’s new leadership group, a fresh deal for Foden would serve to further cement his role at the heart of City’s present and future identity.

Talks are expected to progress in the coming weeks, with the Etihad hierarchy confident of retaining both players. However, the focus on securing key figures to new contracts also speaks to growing recognition that City are entering a fresh cycle – particularly with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne now departed and Bernardo Silva in his final year of contract.

From a strategic perspective, Manchester City will hope to complete these renewals before the season reaches its midway point, giving Pep Guardiola stability around core roles in midfield and allowing planning to begin for wider squad reinforcements in 2026.