Manchester City to allow Rico Lewis departure amid Newcastle United and Sunderland interest | OneFootball

Rico Lewis is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, as per a new report.

The 21-year-old has struggled for minutes at the Etihad Stadium this term as Manchester City underwent a transitional season under the stewardship of director of football Hugo Viana.

Viana has made nine new signings since replacing Txiki Begiristain last summer and is expected to shuffle Pep Guardiola‘s ranks further in the upcoming transfer window.

A host of players are expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season and Lewis’ future could also be deliberated ahead of the 2026-27 term, despite the England international being under contract till 2030.

Lewis’ Man City season in numbers

The numbers don’t lie: Lewis has reason to be disappointed with his game time at his boyhood club this term, especially when he fended off interest from Nottingham Forest last summer to commit his long-term future to Manchester City.

He has played 1,015 minutes across 21 outings in all competitions for the Blues this term – 312 minutes in 10 Premier League games, 305 minutes en route to Carabao Cup glory, 218 minutes in four UEFA Champions League appearances and 180 minutes in two FA Cup outings.

Averaging 48.3 minutes per appearance this term, Lewis has failed to nail down a starting place under Guardiola and has seen Matheus Nunes make the right-back spot his own as the Portuguese enjoys by far and away his best season at City since joining from Wolves in 2023. He has also faced fitness issues and spent five weeks out across February and March.

Lewis has previously operated in midfield for Guardiola but Nico O’Reilly‘s form this term has seen the Carabao Cup final hero operate in the middle of the park alongside Bernardo Silva and Rodri since January.

Report: Man City will not block Lewis exit this summer

As reported by journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester City will not stand in Lewis’ way should the City Football Academy graduate express a desire for an exit this summer as he looks for regular playing opportunities.

The report cites six Premier League clubs, including Sunderland and Newcastle United – who also want to sign James Trafford from Manchester City – are in the market for Lewis, whose future could be addressed by Viana and co this summer.

It is worth noting that there is no telling at present if Lewis is unsettled at the Etihad Stadium, with the right-back likely to be keen on staying put and fighting for his place in the starting XI next term.

However, with his England career also at risk if he continues to play a limited role at club level, the versatile defender could mull over his long-term prospects at some time should he receive an attractive proposition from elsewhere in the Premier League this summer.