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Man City are closing in on a major new deal for English playmaker Phil Foden, according to reports.

The attacking midfielder has become one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players in recent seasons. He featured 50 times in all competitions last term as Man City won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.

Foden has already bagged two goals in six games this campaign. He got off the mark during the recent 2-2 draw with title rivals Liverpool.

The 21-year-old is a perfect example of how senior teams can be bolstered by academies.

Man City will not consider any bids for Foden, no matter how large. Club officials view him as a potential talisman and Ballon d’Or winner.

As such, they want to extend his contract from 2024 to 2027. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano now provides a welcome update on the negotiations for City fans.

He writes that discussions are heading in a positive direction. They have been ongoing for three months but feelings about the deal are ‘optimistic’ on both sides.

Guardiola sees Foden as a vital player for the club’s future. He wants the playmaker to remain at the Etihad to be a part of his project over the next few years.

There have been few rumours about where Foden could end up, should he opt to leave City. The player is a boyhood fan – he would only leave if he was forced out.

Barcelona looked into signing Foden three years ago. They are now on the verge of a breakthrough of their own as midfield wonderkid Pedri is close to penning a new deal.

Man City star praises Mikel Arteta

City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva has heaped praise on Arsenal boss Arteta. The Spaniard worked as Guardiola’s understudy before he moved to the Emirates.

North London is a potential destination for Silva, too. Guardiola even admitted in the summer that the Portuguese wanted out.

In an interview with Football Daily, Silva said: “I speak for myself, and I think I speak for the group. People were sad [when he left] because he was someone we really liked working with.

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“He offers a lot, even though he was not the first [team] manager he acted like he was a little bit in terms of helping and how present he was.

“[Moving to Arsenal] was a great opportunity for him and we were sad for the team but happy for him.”

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