Overview

• Manchester City and 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly have reached a verbal agreement on a long-term contract after rejecting two bids from Bayer Leverkusen and approaches from several Premier League clubs.
• The academy graduate will be assigned a new squad number and is poised for increased first-team involvement under Pep Guardiola.
• O’Reilly emerged as a key contributor last season by filling in at left back and helping City reach the FA Cup final and the Club World Cup.
• Pep Guardiola publicly praised O’Reilly’s impact after stepping up from the academy, emphasizing his readiness and value to the squad.
• The deal illustrates City’s broader shift toward integrating homegrown prospects as long-serving stars exit the Etihad.