Man City target SHOCK Chelsea star as Rico Lewis replacement

Manchester City are interested in Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong as a potential replacement for Nottingham Forest-bound Rico Lewis, according to a report.

The Cityzens are currently locked in talks with Forest over a surprising deal that will see Lewis head to the City Ground. The 20-year-old homegrown is said to be keen on the move as the Reds are ready to double his salary.

While a deal does not appear to be imminent just yet, it seems that discussions are moving in the right direction, and Man City usually do not keep players who wish to pursue a move away.

Lewis’ exit could be a disastrous one for Man City, who are already short of right-back options. The versatile youngster, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €70.7 million, is Pep Guardiola’s most reliable and natural option in that department.

His departure would almost certainly see Man City dip into the market for a replacement, and it seems that they have taken a liking to one of their direct rivals’ wonderkids.

Man City want Acheampong

According to The Guardian, Man City are interested in Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, who is exactly the kind of versatile defensive profile that Guardiola loves to utilise.

The 19-year-old can feature centrally and at right-back, and his future is somewhat uncertain despite a general reluctance to see him leave Stamford Bridge.

Acheampong insisted earlier this summer that he is planning to stay at Chelsea, and the Blues believe that he can become a key player for them in the future. However, there is an acceptance that regular minutes could be hard to come by for the teenager in a Champions League season.

This is also recognised by other clubs, with Ben Jacobs revealing that Bournemouth made an approach for Acheampong in July. Chelsea rebuffed the Cherries, but the journalist admits that the 19-year-old’s situation is a ‘complicated’ one.

It remains to be seen if anything will come of Man City’s interest, but Acheampong could yet become a one to watch in the final days of the window.

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