Manchester City plot contract talks with Rico Lewis and more transfer rumours

Manchester City are planning to reward Rico Lewis with a new contract after breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first team.

Despite only being 18-years-old, Lewis has managed to force his way into the Man City starting XI in recent weeks, starting the two most recent games ahead of Joao Cancelo, against Leeds United and Everton.

The right-back has made five appearances total in the Premier League, while he has also featured twice in the Champions League this season, scoring once, and now officials at the Etihad Stadium are reportedly planning to reward Rico Lewis through improved contractual terms.

This is according Jack Gaughan via The Daily Mail, who reports that despite Lewis having more than four years remaining on his current deal with Manchester City, the club are keen to renegotiate terms ‘over the coming weeks’.

While it is highlighted that talks are yet to begin with the relevant parties, The Mail report that Rico Lewis can be expected to earn a ‘significant uplift’ on wages of around £5,000 a week.

Discussions over the versatile full-back’s future are expected to go ‘smoothly’, according to the report, with Manchester City holding a ‘strong relationship’ with the player’s agency, who also represent Kyle Walker and fellow academy graduate Cole Palmer.

Elsewhere, The Athletic have claimed that City are not ‘thought to be interested’ in a deal for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.

A host of Premier League clubs have reportedly been competing to sign Felix ahead of the January window, with both Arsenal and Manchester United looking the most likely to tempt the 23-year-old to England. However, it is now understood that City will not be throwing their hat into the ring for the Portugal international’s signature.

Should Bernardo Silva leave the club in January, City’s stance may well change, but for now it appears that Guardiola is currently content with the chance of Felix joining title rivals Arsenal this winter.