Manchester City are facing the prospect of losing Rico Lewis in the next transfer window, with Premier League rivals monitoring the versatile full-back’s struggle to secure regular minutes under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
Lewis’ long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has been a subject of speculation since the summer, when Nottingham Forest registered an interest in signing him.
The 21-year-old ultimately stayed put for the current campaign, but according to transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, he could push to leave City in the near future if his situation on the pitch does not improve.
Lewis has made just one Premier League start so far this season, a sparse return for a player many inside the club once viewed as a long-term successor to Kyle Walker at right-back.
His adaptability has long been considered one of his greatest assets under City’s possession-based system, but it has not translated into consistent game time since Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola in the summer.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke suggested Lewis’ next move will hinge on how much football he is afforded between now and January.
“A lot will depend on Rico Lewis himself. If he’s not getting regular game time at Manchester City, then maybe he might think at this stage of his career he needs to move on in search of regular first-team football, and if that is the case, there’ll be a lot of clubs who’ll be ready to try and sign him.”
Lewis shows glimpses of quality despite limited opportunities
There have been flashes of what Lewis can offer when given a chance. He produced two assists in City’s 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens in midweek, his first goal involvements since a rout of Exeter City back in January.
It was a timely reminder of his quality in possession and his eye for a pass in the final third.
That performance, however, was not enough to earn him a starting berth in City’s subsequent Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.
Maresca instead opted for Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back, with Matheus Nunes sidelined through injury. The Uzbek international justified his selection, registering the joint-most defensive contributions and joint-most passes into the final third of any player on the pitch, while only winger Jeremy Doku won more ground duels.
Lewis was introduced at half-time in place of Marc Guehi, a change that pushed Khusanov into central defence, but he struggled to influence proceedings.
He managed just one pass into City’s final third, conceded two fouls, and won only half of his ground duels. It was the kind of afternoon that will do little to ease concerns over his standing in Maresca’s pecking order.
Lewis remains under contract at the Etihad until 2030, giving City no financial pressure to sell. But with his development stalling in terms of first-team opportunities, suitors could sense an opening to test the club’s resolve if an attractive offer materialises.
Complicating matters further is Manchester City’s ongoing wait for the outcome of their 114 charges brought by the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial regulations.
The club are understood to be keen to retain as much strength in depth as possible across their squad in case they are handed a significant sporting sanction, which could make them more reluctant to sanction a departure even if Lewis pushes for one.
