Leeds: Rico Lewis’ loan request was denied

The Manchester City defender has displayed encouraging traits while playing at the Etihad.

According to sources, Leeds United’s loan offer for Manchester City prodigy Rico Lewis was turned down.

Rico Lewis: Who is he?
Lewis is a right-back by nature and has worked at the Etihad Stadium since he was a young child. He advanced through several youth tiers before being promoted to the senior team last summer, but Pep Guardiola severely restricted his game time throughout the previous season.

The Sky Blues’ 18-year-old only received ten starts in the Premier League and was forced to sit on the bench and support Kyle Walker for the remainder of the season. There’s no doubt that he knows that if he moves elsewhere, particularly if he drops down to the Championship, he would get more regular playing time under his belt.

Although it has been reported that the England youth international has agreed to a new six-year contract to commit himself, there is still a chance that he could secure a temporary switch, and there is already a potential suitor waiting for him in Daniel Farke at Elland Road. The youth international’s contract also expires in less than a year, making his future uncertain.

Rasmus Kristensen was just loaned away by the Whites for the entire season to AS Roma, therefore the manager will need to search the market for a suitable short-term replacement. According to the following update, he has already sought to sign the promising young full-back.

Rico Lewis will be joining Leeds.

Lewis is reportedly “interested” in summer loan moves from Leeds, Southampton, and Everton, according to the Sunday Express on page five (via Hampshire Live) on July 30.

However, despite receiving plenty of interest after his impressive but fleeting cameos, Guardiola views the young prospect as a “important member” of his senior squad for the 2023–24 season. Man City have already declined a “dozen” offers from admirers, including from the trio mentioned above.

There is no doubt that Lewis is much stronger in the offensive aspect of his game, and it’s a huge blow for Farke that he won’t be joining Leeds this summer. Journalist Josh Bunting says that Lewis is a real “joy to watch” and is “aggressive” when bursting down the flank into the attacking space.