- Crystal Palace interested in Rico Lewis
- Manchester City star could leave the Etihad
- Five other Premier League clubs keen
Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis. The Eagles are one of six Premier League clubs eyeing the versatile English youngster.
There could be plenty of business conducted by the Eagles this summer as they prepare for the post-Oliver Glasner era. A new manager will be at the helm and it’s vital he’s backed in the transfer market.
A new full-back seems to be on the club’s agenda amid talk of a potential loan move for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. But his English compatriot, Lewis, is also on the wishlist and there is a good chance he departs the Etihad.
Palace Plot Lewis Move
Lewis has dropped down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order this season. He had been one of the Spaniard’s favourites when he broke into the senior team.
Guardiola waxed lyrical earlier this season, stating (via Manchester City’s official website):
“I adore that player… Rico is a top class player.”
While the City boss might well adore Lewis, he doesn’t seem to be prioritising him in his team. A lack of game time could lead to the 22-year-old exploring an exit this summer.
TEAMtalk reports that Palace, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are all keeping tabs. He signed a new long-term contract last August which doesn’t expire until June 2030.
Lewis has started just three of 10 league games this season, providing one assist. He can play at right-back, left-back and also in midfield.
How Much Could Lewis Cost?
Palace’s interest in Lewis is intriguing, as it suggests Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs are already planning for the summer transfer window without Glasner in the dugout. There’s no word on who will replace the Austrian.
Glasner complained about the club’s lack of ambition following the sales of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. A move for Lewis would certainly be ambitious, given his age and status as a player with two Premier League winners’ medals to his name.
This isn’t the first time the English youngster has been linked with a City exit. Nottingham Forest were reportedly keen to sign him last summer but failed to secure a £30 million offer.
Palace might expect to pay slightly more than that, given that the Citizens are open to a sale. He will want more first-team opportunities at this stage of his career, especially with ambitions of representing England’s senior team.
