Rico Lewis make admission on Manchester City future amid Newcastle loan talk

Manchester City have received a clear message of intent from highly-rated and versatile defender Rico Lewis on his future at the Etihad Stadium amid recent reports.

The England international has been recently linked with a loan move away from Manchester City as the Premier League champions continue to go in search of a high-profile recruitment in the middle of the park.

Bruno Guimaraes remains the Etihad Stadium officials’ primary midfield target for the ongoing summer transfer window, however at present there has been no progress on any agreement over a transfer fee, with the player’s £100 million release clause expiring last month.

With City understood to value the 26-year-old at around £85 million – similar to the fee sanctioned for Lucas Paqueta and West Ham last summer – the Etihad club could now look for more creative ways of satisfying Newcastle in negotiations.

As such, Manchester City could reportedly turn to more creative solutions of aiming to bring down Newcastle’s asking price for Guimaraes, particularly the possibility of sanctioning loan deals to the north-east.

One player who now appears unlikely to be in favour of such a move is Rico Lewis, who has spoken confidently of his desire to remain working under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium this season, and for many campaigns beyond.

Speaking to reporters in North Carolina this week whilst Manchester City gear up for the start of their pre-season tour in the United States, Rico Lewis admitted that he has no doubts over the Etihad Stadium being the best place for his development in the game.

“I’m 100 per cent in the right place,” Lewis admitted, as relayed by the Manchester Evening News’ Joe Bray. “I’ve got more than enough time to get to the point where I want to be in terms of being a leader or starting most of the games.”

The 19-year-old continued, “To be honest I need to continue what I’m doing. The main thing is to be patient and wait for the chances to come. They might not come often but when they do come you need to take them.

“The manager doesn’t just not play you for no reason, if he sees you doing well and benefitting the team, he’ll play you. I need to do what I can do and play as well as I can. I don’t need to do anything amazing or special.

“Just stick to the basics I’ve always done and make sure I’m fit for every game.”

Rico Lewis is likely to compete with a wide range of teammates in numerous positions this season, with uncertainty amongst fans over Kyle Walker’s abilities to consistency perform as the mainstay right-back.

Should Manchester City fail to recruit in midfield, there is a significant chance that Rico Lewis could get exactly what he is wanting in terms of deployment in the centre of the field, having been trusted in the role on numerous occasions last campaign.

The recent season saw Rico Lewis operate in an attacking midfield role on several occasions, starring in the role in UEFA Champions League meetings against BSC Young Boys and RB Leipzig away from home, as well as against Arsenal in the Premier League.