Manchester City place £30M price-tag on Rico Lewis ahead of mass summer exodus
TL;DR
Manchester City has set a £30M price-tag on defender Rico Lewis as the club prepares for a significant summer exodus. The 21-year-old has seen limited playing time despite signing a long-term contract until 2030.
Key points
- Manchester City places £30M price-tag on Rico Lewis
- Rico Lewis has struggled for minutes this season
- He signed a long-term contract until 2030 in September 2025
- Nottingham Forest offered him a major pay hike last summer
- Mass summer exodus expected at Manchester City
Manchester City place £30M price-tag on Rico Lewis ahead of mass summer exodus
- Lewis has been a bit-part player for Pep Guardiola since he signed a new contract in 2025
- England international broke into Man City first-team in 2022-23 treble winning season
- Nottingham Forest offered Lewis major pay hike last summer but he signed a new contract
Manchester City defender Rico Lewis will be allowed to leave the club for the right price this summer, as per a new report.
The 21-year-old has struggled for minutes this season and despite signing a long-term contract till 2030 in September 2025, he has dropped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium this term.
Matheus Nunes has been Pep Guardiola‘s first-choice right-back this season and has enjoyed his best campaign at the Etihad Stadium since joining from Wolves in 2023.
Manchester City to allow Rico Lewis departure amid Newcastle United and Sunderland interest
Lewis has also seen opportunities in midfield hard to come by as Nico O’Reilly has emerged as an indispensable part of Guardiola’s starting XI after a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign.
Report: Man City to allow £30M Lewis sale
According to new claims, Lewis will be allowed to leave Manchester City this summer, with the club placing a £30 million valuation on the versatile defender.
The England international attracted strong interest from Nottingham Forest last summer but decided against a move to the City Ground and committed his long-term future to his boyhood club.
Lewis broke into Guardiola’s ranks from Manchester City’s academy midway through the Blues’ 2022-23 treble winning campaign, replacing Joao Cancelo as the preferred right-back that saw the Portuguese join Bayern Munich on loan in the January transfer window.
The Bury-born star has gone from strength to strength since, winning two Premier League titles at Manchester City, but a lack of minutes this season has raised concerns over the defender’s long-term prospects at the Etihad Stadium.
What are Man City’s transfer plans this summer?
City director of football Hugo Viana is prioritising the acquisition of a midfielder in the summer as they plan for life beyond departing captain Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City insider admits Rico Lewis could part ways with Pep Guardiola this summer
The Blues are also negotiating a new contract with Ballon d’Or winning midfielder Rodri, who is approaching the final year of his deal amid interest from Real Madrid.
A new right-back is also on the agenda for Viana and co, who explored the subject in January but decided against entering the market given Nunes’ outstanding displays in the position – despite the Portugal international being a natural midfielder.
Outgoings will also greatly determine Manchester City’s transfer strategy ahead of the 2026-27 campaign as the Blues brace themselves for possible exits for Nico Gonzalez, James Trafford, Omar Marmoush and Savinho.
Q&A
Why is Manchester City allowing Rico Lewis to leave?
Manchester City is allowing Rico Lewis to leave due to his limited playing time this season and a drop in his position in the team's hierarchy.
What is the asking price for Rico Lewis?
The asking price for Rico Lewis is set at £30 million.
Which teams showed interest in Rico Lewis?
Nottingham Forest showed interest in Rico Lewis by offering him a major pay hike last summer.
