Rico Lewis subject to Premier League interest with Manchester City open to exit | OneFootball

Manchester City are open to a sale for Academy graduate right-back Rico Lewis this summer amid emerging interest from Nottingham Forest.

Lewis has been one of the most notable success stories from Manchester City’s youth system in recent years, breaking into the first-team under Pep Guardiola during the 2022/23 season and featuring prominently in domestic and European competitions.

His versatility – capable of playing at right-back, in midfield, or in inverted full-back roles – has made him a valuable asset for the club, while also catching the attention of England’s youth selectors.

The Bury-born defender’s situation has been the subject of growing speculation in recent months, particularly with City holding long-term interest in reinforcing their defensive depth. Lewis’ role in the squad became more rotational last campaign, with Guardiola often turning to more experienced options in high-stakes fixtures.

This, coupled with seemingly stalled contract negotiations, has opened the door to potential interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest have been among the most active clubs in the market this summer, already securing a breakthrough in talks for another City talent, James McAtee.

Their ambition to add youthful yet Premier League-ready talent has seen them keep tabs on Lewis, whose tactical adaptability could prove valuable to new boss Nuno Espírito Santo. However, Manchester City’s valuation makes the deal a significant investment.

According to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Nottingham Forest want to sign Manchester City’s Rico Lewis alongside the deal they have already finalised for Etihad Stadium starlet James McAtee.

It is explained that while Forest officials had hoped to seal both players in a single deal, any potential signing of Lewis would appear to be separate, with the versatile defender valued at over £30 million.

From the perspective of Manchester City, club officials were looking to tie him down to a new contract having marked negotiations as a priority, but terms have not managed to be finalised by bosses.

As such, MailSport now report that Hugo Viana and co are open to allowing Rico Lewis to leave if the right offer came in.

If a move to Forest does materialise, Rico Lewis could follow a path taken by several former Manchester City academy graduates who left for greater playing opportunities, such as Liam Delap, Jadon Sancho, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, James Trafford, and more.

All of the aforementioned players have thrived following permanent exits, prompting City to insert sell-on and buy-back clauses to retain a measure of future influence – a strategy they may also adopt here, and one that could certainly be revisited, as proven through the return of Trafford earlier this summer.

For Rico Lewis, a switch to Nottingham Forest would present a chance to play consistent top-flight football and develop under a manager who values tactical flexibility. Yet with his age, potential, and Manchester City’s knack for re-signing developed talents, a future return to the Etihad Stadium could never be fully ruled out.

An exit for Lewis would also raise significant doubts over the options at right-back for Pep Guardiola this season, particularly after the club have thus far failed to sign a player known to be natural in the role, amid interest in Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.