Sources: Man City to open talks on ‘extraordinary’ Rico Lewis deal
Man City are ready to offer Rico Lewis a huge pay rise to commit his long-term future to the club, sources have told Football Insider.
The 18-year-old has emerged as a potential superstar at City and Pep Guardiola hailed him this week as “extraordinary”.
Lewis’ current contract expires in the summer of 2024 and the Premier League champions want to open talks on a new and improved agreement.
City chiefs want to build their team around home-grown stars like Lewis, who has graduated from the club’s youth set-up to play 10 first-team matches.
The teenager is a right-back who is also capable of pushing up and playing in central midfield, as he did so impressively in the League Cup win over Liverpool last month.
He followed that display up with his first two starts against Leeds United and Everton, before taking to the bench against Chelsea on Thursday (5 January).
Lewis replaced Kyle Walker at half-time at Stamford Bridge and was credited by Guardiola with changing the game in an eventual 1-0 win for Man City.
Speaking post-match and quoted by Sky Sports, the former Bayern Munich boss compared the youngster to Germany legend Phillip Lahm.
The right-back sensation made Champions League history in November 2022 – eclipsing the record set by Karim Benzema to become the youngest-ever player to score on their first start in the competition.
Lewis is likely to be involved as Man City face a domestic cup double-header against Chelsea (8 January) and Southampton (11 January) in the next week.
The reigning Premier League champions sit five point adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
In other news, pundit slams Erling Haaland after what he spotted at Man City – “I’ve seen him do it before”.