Nottingham Forest are making a late attempt in the transfer window to sign Manchester City’s Rico Lewis.
The right-back is a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plans heading into the 25/26 campaign and made a strong claim to be a starter last weekend, and Lewis impressed everyone with his display against Palermo.
Selling the 20-year-old was not on the cards for the Manchester club during the remainder of the transfer window; in fact, Man City have been in talks with Lewis over a new contract.
The defender is now open to leaving the Etihad Stadium, and that may be a result of the lengths Nottingham Forest are willing to go to sign the Englishman.
Rico Lewis in action during Nottingham Forest v Manchester City.
Photo by Cameron Smith – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest are ready to double Rico Lewis’ wages
Nottingham Forest have already seen their opening bid for Lewis rejected as Man City hold out for £30m plus add-ons for the defender, as the Manchester club will not make it easy for the 20-year-old to leave.
It remains to be seen if the Midlands club will match that asking price over the coming days, but according to Ben Jacobs, Forest are set to double Lewis’ current wages in order to get the deal over the line.
More Man City News
The Man City star is said to be open to the move as the switch to the City Ground would now see him earn £50k-a-week.
Chelsea have also shown an interest in Lewis, but the West London club’s pursuit of the right-back does not seem as serious as Nottingham Forest’s.
The sale of Lewis would leave Man City very short at right-back, and if the 20-year-old makes it clear that he wants to leave, the Manchester club would have to enter the market for a replacement.
Rico Lewis’ exit could be detrimental to Man City
Lewis is the only natural right-back at Man City as Pep Guardiola plans to use the 20-year-old, along with Matheus Nunes, John Stones and Manuel Akanji in the role throughout the 25/26 campaign.
If the Englishman is allowed to leave, City would have to look for a replacement, which has been a disaster all summer as they failed in their pursuit of Tino Livramento from Newcastle.
Their other targets have also joined new clubs, such as Wesley, who moved to Roma, which leaves the Manchester club with no clear direction to replace Lewis.
It is too late in the transfer market to allow a key star like Lewis to leave, and doing so could compromise the first half of the season for Man City.