As Manchester City came back from a goal down to beat Sevilla 3-1 in the Champions League, the biggest talking point from the contest was Rico Lewis.
At 17 years and 346 days, the academy graduate became the youngest player to score in his first start in the Champions League.
Latching onto a splendid through ball, courtesy of Julian Alvarez, the Englishman’s thunderous strike levelled the scores for the Premier League champions.
Aside from the goal, Lewis repaid Guardiola’s faith in starting him, as he looked tailor-made for the highest level with a brilliant performance at right-back.
A new update has now emerged that states that City wish to prolong the gifted defender’s stay at his boyhood club.
As per the latest information provided by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are planning to extend Rico Lewis’ contract, which expires in the summer of 2025 currently.
This revelation is testament to just how highly-rated the youngster is within the Sky Blues camp.
While a number of the club’s prodigious youngsters were sent out on loan such as James McAtee and Liam Delap in particular, the fact that Pep Guardiola entrusted the wonderkid to stay within the confines of the first-team speaks volumes about his ceiling.
After the contest as well, the Catalan boss showered Lewis with praise, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano, saying, “We don’t give present, he had to earn it. We have seen him since day one in pre-season and I said: ‘this guy has something special.’
“He’s so clever, so intelligent. If you say something, he understands everything. I’m so happy.”
With Guardiola being such a huge admirer of the unearthed gem, Lewis getting senior minutes in the league and in Europe already and City holding him in high regard, a contract extension would be a matter of celebration for all parties involved.
