Manchester City ready to offer Phil Foden new five-year contract – Wage improvement deemed unlikely | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City are claimed to be prepared to offer Phil Foden a new long-term contract, but without an improvement on salary terms.

Foden has endured an indifferent season that saw him make a strong impression upon his return to fitness in September 2025 through to the end of the previous calendar year.

However, the 25-year-old has struggled for minutes and form since the turn of the year and following the arrival of Antoine Semenyo in January, starts have been few and far between for the Manchester City academy graduate.

The Stockport-born star is contracted at the Etihad Stadium till 2027 and whilst there are no alarm bells over the prospects of a renewal, Foden simply has not been playing enough to perhaps warrant club bosses to prioritise talks over his future.

What has Pep Guardiola made of Phil Foden’s season?

Speaking on Foden’s inconsistencies this term prior to a 3-1 FA Cup win over Newcastle United earlier this month, Pep Guardiola said: “Step by step, he will be back. His dynamic is still there.

“The moment we will make a step to relax and do what he does, he will give us in the final (third), making an incredible two good assists for Erling (Haaland) and making two shots, especially the second one.

“That is what we want from Phil, having the courage to be incredibly free in his mind, in his soul to express his incredible talent in the final third and getting the ball, turn and go, turn and go. It’s step by step, he will get it.”

On whether the mental element of the game is most important for Foden, Guardiola added: “Listen, talking about Nottingham Forest, he played good! I had the feeling he played really good. But still, we are used to him being incredibly decisive in the final third and it happens when you don’t lose much consequences, being free in the final third.

“These types of players, the big, big talents have to be inside of some organisation, otherwise it’s not possible. They have to express themselves. And the moment he unlocks a little bit one action, he’ll be back because always he’s able to help and do it.”

What is going on with Phil Foden’s contract situation at Manchester City?

According to new claims, Foden’s representatives are due to hold a fresh round of talks with Manchester City over the England international’s contractual situation at the Etihad Stadium.

It is suggested that an offer of improved wages is ‘increasingly’ unlikely, with his salary reportedly worth £200,000-per-week before bonuses, although those in decision-making positions at Manchester City would be happy to offer him a further five years of contract.

It remains to be seen whether Foden’s camp will come to an agreement with club bosses, with director of football Hugo Viana expected to progress his remake of Guardiola’s squad in the summer transfer window.

Manchester City are prioritising the acquisition of a world-class midfielder ahead of the 2026-27 season amid interest in Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson, with further departures expected to dictate the club’s transfer strategy.