Article body analysed

By JACK GAUGHAN, NORTH WEST SPORTS REPORTER Published: 21: 00 AEST, 17 August 2025 | Updated: 21: 00 AEST, 17 August 2025 14 View comments Rico Lewis has thrown any decision on his future into Manchester City’s court by insisting that playing for the club is his dream amid interest from Nottingham Forest. The 20-year-old made clear that his preference is to remain at the Etihad Stadium this month and that the goal is to become a more established starter for Pep Guardiola across the season. Lewis starred as City beat Wolves 4-0 on Saturday, assisting Erling Haaland’s opener, after surprisingly being named over Matheus Nunes at right back. Forest have been looking at a deal for the England international, who City value at more than £30million. ‘I've never ever seen myself at a different club - I've always wanted to play for City, ’ Lewis said. ‘It's my dream club, and like you see (at Wolves), when I'm playing with the kind of players that I'm playing with, it brings out the best in me, so I'm so happy. ’ The academy graduate’s ability to move into midfield gave City extra security in central areas on the opening day of the campaign, while his link-up with fellow academy graduate Oscar Bobb caused the hosts significant problems. Rico Lewis has told Manchester City he wants to stay at the club amid interest from elsewhere Lewis was involved in a scuffle with Jorgen Strand Larsen during the win at Wolves  Lewis only started four of City’s last 16 matches before Wolves and was left out of the squad entirely for May’s FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace. Guardiola has spoken to the youngster about his current status within the squad and there is still uncertainty about how much he might be utilised. ‘It's difficult, ’ Lewis added. ‘Everyone wants assurance and security, but at the end of the day, it's on me. It's on me to perform. It's on me to take the chances when I do. ‘After that, there's nothing I can't blame myself (for). If I take my own chances, I do it. If I don't, then I have to work and get better. ‘Last season I played more than the season before, this season I want to play more than last season, so it's always the same goal - becoming an established player. ’

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual.   Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd