Manchester City are prepared to allow Rico Lewis to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer if a suitable offer is received, with Nottingham Forest among several Premier League clubs expressing interest. The 21-year-old academy graduate has seen his first-team opportunities diminish, and the club will not prevent him from seeking regular football elsewhere.
Lewis endured a frustrating 2023-24 campaign, making only four Premier League starts under Pep Guardiola. The increasing preference for Matheus Nunes at right-back limited playing time for the young Englishman, despite his potential. The arrival of Enzo Maresca as head coach has not altered this outlook, with sources suggesting Lewis’ prospects are unlikely to improve.
Sporting director Hugo Viana is already planning for the summer transfer window, and the club are willing to facilitate Lewis’ departure as part of a wider squad reshuffle. This stance is reinforced by City’s pursuit of Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto, a player Maresca knows well from their time together at Stamford Bridge. Other right-back targets, including Tino Livramento of Newcastle United, Michael Kayode of Brentford, Vanderson of Monaco, and Wesley of Roma, have also been explored, but Gusto remains the priority.
Lewis signed a new five-year contract last summer amid interest from other clubs, but both the player and City now believe a move could be mutually beneficial. His recent omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has further fuelled his desire for consistent first-team action, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Nottingham Forest, who previously showed interest in Lewis, are again among the frontrunners. They are also in advanced negotiations with City for Elliot Anderson, in a deal worth a reported £116 million. Bournemouth and Fulham have also made enquiries regarding Lewis’ availability, while Everton could also enter the race as they seek to strengthen their right-back options. Several other unnamed Premier League clubs have also internally discussed a potential move for the versatile, homegrown player. While City aren’t actively seeking to sell Lewis, they are open to considering offers.
