Manchester City have secured Phil Foden’s long-term future by agreeing a new four-year contract with the 25-year-old midfielder, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2030 with an option for a further year.
The deal, first reported by Sky Sports and since confirmed by multiple sources including Fabrizio Romano, ends speculation over a potential exit for one of the club’s most decorated academy products.
The timing is eyebrow-raising given Foden’s struggles over the past 18 months. He has scored just 10 goals and registered five assists across 46 appearances this season, with his last league goal coming in December. Pep Guardiola has frequently omitted him from his preferred starting eleven, with younger options like Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly taking precedence in recent months. England boss Thomas Tuchel has also raised doubts over whether Foden will be selected for the summer World Cup.
Yet City see long-term value in the player whose 2023-24 campaign earned him both the PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year awards. Across 365 career appearances for the club, Foden has scored 110 goals and contributed 67 assists, cementing himself as one of the most productive players in City’s modern era. He has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
Romano revealed that a club from outside England had registered interest in Foden before City moved quickly to tie him down, suggesting the renewal was motivated at least partly by competitive interest rather than mere sentiment. The fact the deal was agreed and awaits only official confirmation suggests City wanted no delay in securing his signature.
The renewal makes particular sense in the context of Bernardo Silva’s expected departure this summer, which will create a significant void in City’s creative midfield options. Guardiola appears to be building a bridge between the current squad and a future iteration, and Foden’s ability to operate across the attacking line gives him enduring tactical value regardless of his current form dip.
City supporters will be hoping this contract signals a return to the performances Foden produced during his peak, rather than a reward for reputation alone.