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

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 Man City’s official 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, bagging five goals and 10 assists in 91 appearances across all competitions.

Lewis has helped City win six trophies, including two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

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 him.

Forest lodged a €25 million plus €5m bid as they looked to provide Ola Aina with competition, but City rejected the offer.

Man City were also linked with a move for Newcastle United 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.

They will continue with Lewis and Nunes this season.