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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has suggested that reports linking Manchester United with Harry Kane are not to be believed and the Red Devils are "not negotiating" for the Tottenham Hotspur forward.

Are Man United interested in Kane?

Before the transfer window had opened, Man United were widely considered favourites to finally lure Kane away from Spurs.

However, when it came time for negotiations, Tottenham were unwilling to let their talismanic centre-forward leave the club, especially to a Premier League rival.

Due to the difficult and expensive nature of a possible deal, Erik ten Hag turned his attention to other attacking options and Kane's new suitors are Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

However, recent reports have suggested that United could revive their interest in the England number nine with Spurs potentially accepting defeat in their bid to keep Kane in north London long-term.

Such reports will have excited Man United fans but journalist Romano has insisted that there is nothing in them and that the Red Devils are "not negotiating" for Kane, instead turning their full attention to Rasmus Hojlund.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "Overnight we heard a lot of stories about Harry Kane and Man United reopening discussions. Maybe [Kane] returning as an option for Manchester United.

"We know, I always told you, that Erik ten Hag is big fan of Harry Kane. [He] considers Harry Kane the perfect striker for his idea of football but I'm still told guys that at the moment Manchester United are not negotiating on this one. They still feel that Tottenham would never sell the player to them, and also the whole financial package could be absolutely too expensive."

While things could change in the market due to Ten Hag's admiration for Kane, it now appears unlikely that any deal for the 29-year-old could be completed in this transfer window.

Kane is out of contract next summer but Spurs still want around £120m for their striker and have already rejected several Bayern bids well below that valuation.

Given such an enormous fee would be required to prise Kane away from Spurs, and that he turns 30 in several days time, such a deal would be a potentially unwise piece of business for Ten Hag when younger alternatives are on the market.

According to Romano, Hojlund is now United's number one target and a deal is getting closer to reaching a natural conclusion. The 20-year-old has huge potential following a breakout season with La Dea and could be a major coup for the right price.

Where will Kane end up?

Romano claims that Bayern are still clear favourites in the Kane race and appear to be the only club actively working on a deal at present.

There is a sense that Tottenham's resolve is starting to wear thin and that chairman Daniel Levy may become increasingly tempted to cash in on Kane instead of seeing him leave for free come next summer.

There is obviously a possibility that Kane stays this season and then leaves for nothing, meaning United could come back into the race for the forward, likely among a host of other clubs.

Tottenham's hopes that Kane would sign a contract extension seem to have been dashed with the forward not eager to renew his current deal with the Lilywhites.

Aston Villa will have the added burden of European football to deal with this season, as their seventh-place Premier League finish last term qualified them for the Europa Conference League.

Unai Emery will clearly want to add yet another continental crown to his collection, and with a hectic schedule imminent, the Spaniard certainly appears to be padding out his squad.

Who have Aston Villa signed?

Having ended the season strongly, Villa will be looking to carry that momentum into the new campaign, and they have already made some important acquisitions.

Pau Torres has arrived from Villarreal while Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby will add some added dynamism in the midfield and forward areas.

Emery isn’t stopping there however, as Villa have shown interest in Rennes winger Jeremy Doku according to Ghana Soccer Net (via Sport Witness) and they have even had an opening offer of €25m (£22m) rejected by the French side.

The Ligue 1 outfit value the Belgian talent at around €40m (£35m) and this could perhaps tempt Emery into making another bid to lure him to Villa Park during the transfer window.

How many goals as Jeremy Doku scored?

The rising starlet made his debut for Anderlecht at the age of just 16 and after just 37 games for the Belgian side – where he racked up six goals and seven assists – he was courted by Rennes and the move has given him an even bigger platform on which to showcase his abilities.

The 21-year-old has taken his club career goal tally to 17 following a 2022/23 campaign where he really came to prominence.

Not only did he create six big chances in the league, ranking him third in the squad, but the winger also ranked seventh for key passes (one) and first for successful dribbles (3.3) per game across the whole Rennes squad.

In contrast, only four Villa players created more big chances and made more key passes per game last season, while Doku’s 3.3 successful dribbles per game were miles ahead of the best Villa player, John McGinn, who registered just 1.3 per game.

This clearly suggests Doku could be an extremely useful addition for the Midlands outfit, and he could form a dream attacking duo alongside Ollie Watkins.

The Englishman led the way in terms of goals scored (15) and shots on target per game (1.3) for Villa last season in the league as he exploded into life under the Spanish coach, and he could benefit from Doku’s creative talents.

The former Anderlecht gem ranked in the top 1% for progressive carries (6.95), touches in the attacking penalty area (6.12) and successful take-ons (6.59) per 90 across Europe’s big five leagues, clearly demonstrating that he is one of the finest wingers on the continent.

With Watkins posing a major threat in the penalty area, he could thrive knowing Doku is likely to create plenty of chances from a wide position, while also bursting into the opposition penalty area on a regular basis.

Football scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed the young whiz as “amazing”, and if Emery could add Doku to an already stacked attack alongside Watkins and Diaby, he may just secure another European title for the club.

Leeds United are reportedly showing an interest in making an ambitious move to land RB Leipzig forward, Yussuf Poulsen, with the Elland Road outfit still yet to strengthen their ranks this summer ahead of their return to the Championship.

What are the latest Leeds transfer rumours?

According to journalist Simon Jones for The Mail+, newly-appointed boss Daniel Farke is keen to bolster his centre-forward ranks having been 'discussing' possible striker targets with the club in both Europe and South America.

As per the report, the 70-cap Denmark international is one of the options being considered by the Yorkshire giants, with the 29-year-old – who has spent the last decade with the Bundesliga outfit – having just a year left to run on his existing contract.

As the piece also notes, this search for a new number nine has come with Patrick Bamford seemingly 'ready to leave the club' after enduring an injury-hit last two seasons with the Whites.

Who is Yussuf Poulsen?

While as the above report states, the 6 foot 4 marksman is 'not prolific' – having scored just two league goals last season – he still boasts a wealth of experience for both club and country, having notably won two German Cups during his stint in Leipzig.

Having been part of his current club's rapid rise up through the divisions after joining from Danish side Lyngby in 2013, the towering hitman does boast a respectable tally of 85 goals and 63 assists in 358 games for the Bundesliga side, having also featured on the flanks at times over the years.

As the aforementioned Jones also stated, the major benefit of bringing Poulsen into the fold for Farke would be due to his hard-working nature, having been hailed as a "machine" by his current teammate, Willi Orban.

That willing work ethic has also led to the Copenhagen native receiving praise from former Leipzig boss Alexander Zorniger, who has previously stated: "He always pushes himself beyond his limits, and embodies dynamism, desire, and a willingness to learn. When he can't do anymore, that's when I know he has absolutely nothing left in the tank."

The same can seemingly not be said for Bamford, with the Englishman having repeatedly broken down with injury in recent times, ensuring that he made just 37 Premier League outings across the last two seasons combined – only 25 of which came from the start.

The apparent difference in work ethic between the 29-year-old and Poulsen is evidenced by the fact that the latter man notably ranks in the top 7% among his European peers for tackles made and aerial duels won, as well as in the top 6% for blocks made.

The current Leeds man, by contrast, does not appear to share that desire to defend from the front as he ranks in just the bottom 40% for tackles and only the top 42% for aerial duels won, as well as ranking in just the top 41% for blocks.

With Bamford also hardly proving prolific himself of late – with just six league goals to his name since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, fewer than the Dane has achieved (eight) – it does appear that a fresh start is needed, something that could be hastened by Poulsen's arrival.

As such, the signing of the £66k-per-week ace could no doubt spell bad news for Bamford's future at Elland Road…

Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca is "on the brink" of completing a summer loan move to Real Betis, according to reliable journalist James Marshment.

When did Marc Roca join Leeds?

The Whites’ defensive midfielder only arrived at Elland Road from Bayern Munich last summer and impressed during his debut season in the Premier League, as he was a regular feature across the reigns of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce, making 36 appearances, but his future is currently up in the air.

Following relegation, the Yorkshire outfit are expected to lose a number of their top players who will likely want to return to the top-flight or join a competitive club overseas rather than remaining in the Championship, one of those being Brenden Aaronson, who is reportedly on the verge of securing a temporary switch to Union Berlin.

The Spaniard could be about to follow in his footsteps after Diario De Sevilla claimed that he’s already told his closest circle of friends that he wants to leave despite still having another three years remaining on his contract, and it appears that he’s been putting in the work ready for his next move.

Mundo Deportivo have revealed that the 26-year-old has, over the past few days, been training alone in order to try and get into the best shape possible ready to link up with his new squad, and if the following update is to be believed, it sounds like he’s on his way to his homeland.

Is Roca leaving Leeds?

Taking to Twitter, Marshment revealed that Leeds are set to lose Roca imminently as he closes in on an initial temporary exit, though it's worth noting there's likely to be a clause included in the deal that means he could leave for good. He wrote:

"Leeds midfielder Marc Roca is on the brink of sealing his move to Real Betis, signing on a season's loan with a view to a permanent move. The midfielder, 26, will take a drop in wages to leave Elland Road and secure a return to LaLiga."

Should the 49ers keep or sell Roca?

Leeds signing Roca from a club like Bayern Munich shows just the calibre of player he is and it’s fair to say that he got off to a flying start in England, having been hailed as “excellent” by journalist Josh Bunting. The 49ers retaining the defensive midfielder’s services should be a no-brainer of a decision to make – even if it simply means cancelling the permanent clause.

The Promoesport client, who’s naturally left-footed, won 40 out of his 66 tackles made last season so he clearly wasn’t afraid to get stuck in to try and win back possession for his team, but he was also an extremely positive influence driving forward.

Elland Road’s £50k-per-week earner recorded two assists and one goal and picked out 76 crosses to his fellow teammates, which was the second-highest total throughout his squad, as per FBRef, highlighting his desire to create chances, so when you consider this alongside the fact that he has the versatility to operate in six different positions, the thought of him departing for good is a huge blow.

Banned former Tottenham Hotspur director of football Fabio Paratici is a big fan of Spurs' incoming goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Who is Fabio Paratici?

The Italian was Tottenham's managing director of football but recently resigned from the role following a two-and-a-half-year ban from the game. The ban comes as a result of alleged financial mismanagement during his time at Juventus.

Initially only being banned from working within the Italian Football Federation, this punishment was extended to a global ban from football by FIFA in late March. Paratici quickly appealed this decision but his appeal was rejected.

Paratici resigned on April 21 following the loss of his appeal, which ended a nearly two-year relationship with the north London club. Meanwhile, his former club Juventus received a final 10-point deduction in Serie A, five points fewer than the original verdict.

Considering Paratici is banned from conducting any business relating to football, it may come as a surprise to learn that the former Spurs man was a big "admirer" of incoming Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario, according to journalist Alasdair Gold.

"From what I understand, having dug around a fair bit this week, our old friend Fabio Paratici was a big admirer of Vicario, along with [Leonardo] Gabbanini. And I actually understand that Paratici inquired about Vicario earlier in the season, spoke to those around the goalkeeper to just kind of see his availability for this summer."

"Lo and behold, here we are. The Paratici influence still there clearly. Also, Gabbanini – someone who would have bigged him up as well – and here we are at this stage".

Despite Paratici's departure and ban, his influence is arguably still significant in Spurs' transfer plans this summer, with many of the potential targets having been shortlisted while he was still at the club.

Are Tottenham signing Vicario?Spurs look incredibly close to signing the Empoli goalkeeper, with a fee of £17.2m enough to secure the 26-year-old's signature. Despite having never played for a traditionally 'big club' in Italy or being capped by the national team, Vicario has still earned plenty of plaudits for his impressive Serie A performances.

With an average Sofascore rating of 7.05 in the league last term, he helped Empoli finish a comfortable 12 points above the relegation zone last year.

Gold describes Vicario as a "very good 'keeper", meaning he can certainly help bolster a shaky defensive unit at Spurs. Hugo Lloris has come under criticism for some high-profile gaffes this season and has decided to leave north London in the summer.

Everton could well have the heir to Anthony Gordon's position at Goodison Park as they look to further conversations for PSV's precocious talent Isaac Babadi.

What's the latest on Isaac Babadi to Everton?

According to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink, Everton – alongside Brentford and Eintracht Frankfurt – are interested in the 18-year-old flanker, who has just one year left on his current deal with the Eredivisie outfit.

The Netherlands U18 international is awaiting a new proposal from PSV before assessing his options, and the Toffees who are "working" on a move, will hope to entice the player with the prospect of forging a prominent role in a Premier League squad.

While a valuation has not surfaced thus far, his contractual situation hints that an astute deal could be pulled off this summer, and Everton must now act upon their intrigue as manager Sean Dyche looks to craft a successful future after staving off relegation this term.

Who is Isaac Babadi?

Too long have Everton's movements on the transfer front fallen below the standards demanded by the proud Blues fanbase, having now spent the past two Premier League campaigns battling against the threat of the drop and only escaping the unthinkable in the dying embers.

The appointment of the stoic Dyche was the perfect way to fortify Goodison Park with a sturdy structure, but now the signings taken in must make an emphatic impact to commence a climb up the table.

And while Babadi would be unlikely to bring instantaneous success, his prodigious roots tantalise a career right at the very top, having already recorded 32 direct contributions from 65 outings for the Boeren's respective youth outfits.

This term, he has plundered six goals and five assists from 34 matches across all competitions for PSV's U21 set-up, and considering he is scarcely two months into adulthood, the left-winger is exceeding expectations and will undoubtedly make his first-team debut should he remain in his homeland.

Hailed as a "creative" forward and a "top talent" by Elfrink, he could indeed surpass Gordon's impact in Liverpool, with Everton's homegrown talent playing 78 matches for the side before completing a £45m transfer to Premier League high-fliers Newcastle United in January.

Despite being described as "frightening" by pundit Paddy Kenny, Gordon only scored seven goals and provided eight assists during his time on Merseyside, and with Babadi exhibiting the signs of a prolific future star, he could well transcend Gordon's exploits at the club.

The 22-year-old Magpie has yet to demonstrate his prowess as a creative outlet with regularity – posting an average of only 0.4 key passes this year and one last term, as per WhoScored – and given that he is yet to score more than four times in a single campaign, the wideman's departure might dissipate like dust as the Toffees support are galvanised by a talented teenager in Babadi who could blossom into one of the Premier League's most exciting stars, eclipsing Gordon in the process

Underperforming batsmen and an untimely calf flare-up to Steve O’Keefe have complicated matters further for Australia’s interim selection panel on the eve of an especially tense squad announcement for the Adelaide Test.The acting chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, is expected to name a 13-man squad for the day/night match on Sunday afternoon, underlining the uncertainty surrounding Australian cricket on the back of five consecutive defeats, and two in a row at home for the first time since the fateful Ashes summer of 2010-11.While the youthful trio of Peter Handscomb, Matt Renshaw and Travis Dean all put their names in lights with centuries, Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson completed double failures in the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and South Australia at the Gabba to slip further towards the precipice.Of equal concern for the panel is the fact that O’Keefe is believed to have suffered a flaring of an ongoing calf problem on day three of the New South Wales v Victoria encounter at the SCG. He had been favoured to return to the Test XI in place of the incumbent Nathan Lyon, who has struck a horrid wicket drought at the worst possible time.O’Keefe’s injury prognosis may also have a knock-on effect for the wicketkeepers Peter Nevill and Matthew Wade. While the Australians are eager for the lower-order heft that Wade could provide, his inferior glovework, particularly to Lyon, may yet play in Nevill’s favour. A third spin option, Jon Holland, has bowled well for Victoria at the SCG.Another name, not seen in lights for some time, is that of Sam Whiteman, the Western Australia wicketkeeper. A half-century and century against Tasmania at the WACA Ground met yet cause his name, too, to be discussed in the stumpers’ stakes.The elegant New South Wales left-hander Kurtis Patterson did his chances no harm with a well-constructed 55 for his state on Saturday. Patterson and Handscomb would likely slot into the places vacated by Ferguson and the concussed Adam Voges.Renshaw and Dean, two players not considered particularly fashionable in terms of physique or method, both place a high premium on batting time, a quality badly missing in Australia’s recent defeats. Another possible choice, though less likely, is Victoria’s Marcus Harris, who moved from Western Australia at the start of the season to good effect – only Handscomb is ahead of him on the national aggregates.Among the pace bowlers to support Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the South Australia pair of Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall are in the selectors’ thoughts, as is Jackson Bird. Like his fellow Redback Ferguson, Joe Mennie may yet find himself on the outer after only one Test – a further measure of how much things have changed in the course of a single fractious week.Possible squad Steven Smith (capt), Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Kurtis Patterson, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade (wk), Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Daniel Worrall/Chadd Sayers.

Leeds United and their proposed takeover by 49ers Enterprises could happen 'quickly' at Elland Road, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United?

According to The Telegraph, Leeds United could be taken over formally by 49ers Enterprises by the end of this week, which would spell the end of Andrea Radrizzani's six-year spell at Elland Road.

49ers Enterprises currently own 44% of the Yorkshire outfit and are said to value Leeds United at around £170 million, coming as a consequence of the Whites being relegated from the Premier League.

Leeds United are in the hunt for a new manager to lead them into the Sky Bet Championship next season following Sam Allardyce's departure by mutual agreement last week.

Furthermore, there is a need for a new Director of Football at the club following Victor Orta's sacking earlier in the season, as per The Daily Mail.

There is also the concern that several players are likely to leave Leeds United this summer such as Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson and Rodrigo Moreno, which will give 49ers Enterprises a heavy agenda to press on with before the beginning of next term.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that Leeds United changing hands at ownership level is likely to happen in the near future.

Jacobs told FFC: "For months, they've been talking about scenarios for both staying up and going down. It's now just a case of what the number is to acquire the football club based upon the relegation to the Championship. That won't be a new discussion, they will have discussed both scenarios, both options, both numbers, which is why the expectation is that 49ers Enterprises will still be able to move very quickly."

Who could Leeds United appoint as their new manager?

To steer any successful ship in football requires a good manager and bringing in a coach that can fire up Leeds United's squad of players ahead of their return to the Sky Bet Championship will be a main priority for 49ers Enterprises once they take the club over.

Former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked to the vacancy at Elland Road; however, The Sun report that the 50-year-old could be set to take some time away from the game before resuming his managerial career.

The Guardian report that West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan, ex-Fulham boss Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard are also under consideration for the post.

Journalist Alan Nixon has also claimed that Celta Vigo boss Carlos Carvahal is in the running for the job, signifying that Leeds United are doing their due diligence on multiple candidates as they look to find the right man to take them forward.

Stuart Meaker can be a thrilling sight. His run-up oozes effort and intent, a bowler hurling everything of himself at his opponent

Tim Wigmore at Kia Oval23-Aug-2016
ScorecardStuart Meaker runs through to celebrate Kumar Sangakkara’s catch•PA PhotosStuart Meaker can be a thrilling sight. His run-up oozes effort and intent, a bowler hurling everything of himself at his opponent. His action is powerful and muscular, and what comes next is very, very quick: at Loughbrough, Meaker was once famously clocked at 96mph.Add in a penchant for reverse swing, an incisive yorker and an awkward bouncer, and it is little wonder that England’s selectors have been interested in Meaker for many years. Rumours of his pace, which sometimes gained a few mph in the telling, were swirling from his 20th birthday.But, as of now, aged 27, he has made just two ODI and to T20I appearances and has spent much of the last four years a frustrated man. He lost a little of his zip and, perhaps, a little more of his self-belief. Last season a sad ritual would be the sight of Meaker, unselected, bowling on the outfield striving to relocate rhythm. By the summer’s end, all he had to show for his efforts were five Division Two wickets at 56.20 apiece.Then, just to cap it, after an injury-free pre-season, came a freak groin injury at the end of March, sustained when Meaker refrained from wearing a box in the nets.This unfortunate injury delayed Meaker’s comeback, but it did not deprive him of his vim. After missing Surrey’s opening five matches, Meaker announced his return with 4 for 78 at Old Trafford in May, even as Surrey succumbed to an innings defeat. He has not missed a Championship match since; his oomph has returned, and been rewarded by a new two-year contract.On a resplendent summer’s day at The Oval, Meaker provided a distillation of the essence of his bowling. If there were regular four-balls – there invariably are – there was also unerring menace. By the innings’ end Meaker had taken 3 for 83 – giving him a day’s average of 27.67, set against a season’s average of 27.51 – and an economy rate of just over four an over, compared to one of just under four this season.If these seem relatively unremarkable figures, they do not convey Meaker’s skill in extracting pace and bounce. As Haseeb Hameed, Lancashire’s impenetrable wall, was harried out by a surprise quicker ball, and with an older ball Jordan Clark and Arron Lilley edged when well-set, perturbed by Meaker’s extra pace, it was easy to see why England’s selectors have found Meaker’s gifts alluring and why they may yet again.”It’s a great role to have, when the captain says bowl 90mph – happy days. I don’t mind the odd boundary. It does ease the pressure at the top of the mark, thinking boundaries don’t matter,” Meaker said.He is empowered to “try to knock peoples’ heads off,” though he does not reckon he is yet quite back to his best. “Pace-wise it’s as good as ever. Before my injuries my skills were a lot more honed and a lot better than what they have been so far this year: I’d be able to swing it away form right-handers, and then reverse it round and be able to swing it back into them.”But as intoxicating as Meaker’s bowling was, his role in the dismissal of Clark seemed incidental: the wicket belonged to Meaker, but really it was all Kumar Sangakkara’s, who dived to his right at first slip, snaring the ball at full stretch, and celebrated with a nonchalance that belief the moment of brilliance.”That was out and out the best slip catch I’ve ever had taken off me,” Meaker gushed. “It was a full length dive – I don’t think he could even have got a fingertip further than that. It was just amazing.”How Surrey needed it, too: Clark had counter-attacked pugnaciously to lift Lancashire from the debris of 99 for 5. Pyrotechnics from Lilley, who smeared Meaker and Sam Curran over long-on for sixes, and twice scythed Meaker over third man too, then a last-wicket stand of 48 lifted Lancashire to 287, though it felt considerably short of par.That impression was confirmed by the ease with which Surrey batted in the evening session, at least until Rory Burns was spilled off Clark at second slip on 33, from the penultimate ball of the day.A thoroughly contented Surrey had cause to laud the variety of their attack. “It’s probably one of the most balanced bowling attacks we’ve had,” Meaker said. “We’ve got so much depth that it allows people to have a bit of a break between their spells. When it’s started to turn we’ve had the spin twins; on a pitch like this, where there’s not much turn but a bit of inconsistent bounce, the seamers have knuckled down and done the work.”For all the brilliance of Sangakkara’s catch, another Surrey wicketkeeper could also toast a fine day. Ben Foakes took five smart catches, even though these were interspersed with the occasional moment of shoddy glovework. He is already a taker of great catches; but he is not yet a great wicketkeeper.

Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis is set to sign a new contract at the Etihad, according to a fresh update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

How has Lewis fared this season?

The 18-year-old has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season for City, playing his part in them winning yet another Premier League title. The £5,000-a-week youngster has started eight league games in 2022/23 to date, and made a further four substitutes appearances, as well as two in the Champions League and seven in the FA Cup and EFL Cup combined.

Lewis has not looked out of place, even though he has featured less during the business end of the campaign, and the hope is that his long-term future belongs at City. His current deal expires in the summer of 2024, so it is important that the club tie him down to a new contract, in order to avoid the risk of losing him to another club.

Could Lewis sign new Man City deal?

Taking to Twitter, Romano provided a positive update over Lewis' future, saying an extension is now close to being completed:

"Understand Manchester City are closing in on new long term deal for Rico Lewis — agreement set to be completed. Talks had already been advanced for months and now it’s about final details. Pep, big fan of Rico and his potential. He’s staying at City. Here we go."

This is great news for City, with Lewis someone who should very much be viewed as part of the club's future, having been described as "contagious" by Pep Guardiola, and his team's "little Philipp Lahm". At just 18, he is already such a mature footballer for his age, already making 21 first-team appearances.

Granted, he may have to bide his time to eventually become a regular, given the incredible depth at Guardiola's disposal – a loan move next season could be great for his development – but if he continues to develop, he could eventually make the right-back spot his own.

The three-cap England Under-19 international has displayed his ability to drift into a midfield role in that position, as well as shine in midfield in general full-time, and he could have such a massive future. The thought of losing him so early in his career doesn't bear thinking about, but it looks as though the Premier League champions have got their wish and tied down Lewis for many more years to come.