Manchester City Secure Nico O’Reilly’s Future with New Contract Amid European Interest
July 31, 2025 — Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with 20-year-old academy star Nico O’Reilly on a new long-term contract, fending off intense interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League rivals, including Chelsea . The deal, confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, includes a salary boost, a new shirt number, and solidifies O’Reilly’s role as a key part of Pep Guardiola’s future plans .
Why This Deal Matters
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Rejecting European Suitors
- City rebuffed two bids from Bayer Leverkusen and ignored approaches from unnamed Premier League clubs, signaling their determination to retain the versatile midfielder .
- Chelsea had tracked O’Reilly since January but failed to lure him away, avoiding a repeat of the Cole Palmer saga .
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Breakthrough Season & Versatility
- O’Reilly emerged as a left-back savior in 2024/25, filling in for injured stars and excelling in the FA Cup (3 goals, 2 assists) and Premier League .
- Guardiola praised his “attacking midfielder instincts”, highlighting his ability to drift into the box and impact games despite playing out of position .
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Contract Details
- The new deal runs until 2030 (with an option for 2031) and raises his wages to £25,000/week, with performance-based increments .
- A new squad number is expected, fueling fan speculation about his positional future (e.g., #8 if Kovacic departs) .
What’s Next for O’Reilly?
- Positional Clarity: Though he shone at left-back, Guardiola sees him as a future midfielder, competing with Bernardo Silva and new signing Tijjani Reijnders .
- Squad Role: With Rayan Ait-Nouri now at left-back, O’Reilly will likely rotate across midfield and full-back roles, leveraging his homegrown status for UEFA squad rules .
- Fan Reactions: Supporters celebrated the news, urging Guardiola to “give him midfield minutes” and hailing him as the club’s “phenomenal” future star .
🧠 FAQs: Nico O’Reilly’s New Deal at Man City
Who is Nico O’Reilly?
He’s a 20-year-old versatile midfielder from Manchester City’s academy. He broke into the first team by impressing at left-back during the 2024/25 season.
Why is his new contract such big news?
Because clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea were pushing hard to sign him — but City held firm and convinced him to stay.
How long is the contract?
The new deal runs until 2030, with an option to extend it until 2031. He also received a pay rise and could get a new shirt number.
What position will he play under Guardiola?
Although he filled in at left-back, Guardiola sees him long-term as a midfielder — potentially competing with Bernardo Silva and new signings.
What are fans saying?
City fans are thrilled. Many are calling him “phenomenal” and hoping he gets more chances in midfield next season.