Manchester City fans woke up to shocking news that shook the football world, news that sounded almost unbelievable, yet it spread across Europe like wildfire. Reports claimed that Manchester City had received a staggering £112 million offer for their beloved star boy, Phil Foden. For many, this was more than just a transfer rumor; it was a story that struck at the heart of what Manchester City stands for and at the soul of their supporters. Because Phil Foden is not just a player, he is their own, their pride, their homegrown king.
The report came out just hours after Foden had shined again in the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. On a wet Sunday evening, he rose above Manchester United defenders and scored the opening goal, a goal that set the tone for a dominant City performance. Erling Haaland added two more, and Pep Guardiola’s men walked away with a comfortable 3-0 victory, leaving United embarrassed and stranded in 14th place in the Premier League table.
The blue side of Manchester celebrated wildly that night. They sang Foden’s name long after the final whistle. But the joy of derby day was quickly replaced by whispers that became headlines: Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, had tabled a €130 million bid—around £112 million—for Phil Foden.
It was a jaw-dropping number, one that forces any club to stop and think. But this was no ordinary player. This was Phil Foden.
For Al Nassr, the move was part of their new mission to dominate the world of football. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo moved there, the Saudi league has chased superstar after superstar, offering massive wages and irresistible deals. Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte—they had already lured many away from Europe. Now they wanted one of England’s brightest stars, a player still only 25, a player at the peak of his powers.
The Saudi league still had its transfer window open, unlike Europe where the window had slammed shut. They had until September 23 to make magic happen. And the offer was real. But standing in their way was one man: Pep Guardiola.
The Spanish coach, who has turned Manchester City into a dynasty, was firm and ruthless in his stance. Foden, he insisted, was untouchable. Money could not buy what Phil Foden meant to this club. Guardiola made it clear: Foden was not just another footballer, he was the heartbeat of City.
And Guardiola’s words after the United game confirmed just how much he valued his star. The City boss praised Foden in a way that told the world he saw him as irreplaceable. “We missed him so much last season,” Guardiola said. “We need him so much. We cannot forget two seasons ago when we won the last game against West Ham to win the title, he was the most important player in the Premier League. He was maybe the key player to win that league.”
Guardiola spoke with emotion, recalling how Foden had carried City when they needed him most. Last season had been different. Injuries, fatigue, and small setbacks had limited him. Just seven goals and two assists in the league—a modest return compared to his usual brilliance. Yet even in those tough moments, Guardiola never doubted him. And now, with Foden back fit and firing, Guardiola was seeing the spark again.
“I’m pretty sure a game like today against United is a special game for him,” Guardiola added. “Because he is an incredible Manchester City supporter. I’m sure he’s going to have the best feeling.”
These words carried weight. Pep was not only praising his player, he was sending a message to the world—and to Al Nassr—that Phil Foden was untouchable.
But let’s step back and think. What does £112 million mean? In football terms, it is huge. That kind of money could buy two or three high-quality players. It could strengthen the squad for years to come. For a Saudi club to offer that for an English player at his peak—it shows how far their ambition has grown. And it also shows how valuable Foden is seen across the globe.
But for Manchester City fans, this isn’t about numbers. It’s about identity. Foden is not just another academy product. He is the one they call “the Stockport Iniesta.” He is the kid who grew up a stone’s throw away from the Etihad, who dreamed of playing in sky blue, who came through the academy, and who became the face of their rise. To see him sold—even for £112 million—would feel like ripping the soul out of the club.
Al Nassr’s offer is also symbolic. They want players who can not only deliver on the pitch but also carry global marketing power. Cristiano Ronaldo is still their icon, but at 40 years old, his career is nearing its twilight. Foden, at 25, is entering his golden years. Imagine him in Saudi Arabia, lining up alongside Ronaldo, maybe even replacing him one day as the face of the project. For the Saudis, this was not just a football transfer. It was a statement to the world that they could pull England’s golden boy away from the Premier League.
But could it really happen?
The truth is, no matter how big the offer, it would be almost impossible. Foden himself is a lifelong City fan. His family are Manchester City supporters. His bond with the club is deeper than contracts and money. He has already lifted multiple Premier League titles, Champions League, FA Cups, and Carabao Cups. He has scored in finals, scored in derbies, and scored in title-deciding games. He is living the dream of every kid in Manchester who wears the blue shirt. To leave all of that behind now—for Saudi Arabia—feels unthinkable.
Yet football has shown us time and again that nothing is impossible. When money talks, doors open. Riyad Mahrez, another City star, made the move last summer. Laporte did the same. Even Kevin De Bruyne has been linked. The Saudi Pro League does not stop. They keep coming, throwing money until someone says yes.
And that is what makes this story so powerful. For the first time, Saudi Arabia’s riches are being thrown at the very heart of English football—not just older stars looking for one last paycheck, but young, world-class talents in their prime.
City fans, however, know they have something the Saudis cannot buy: loyalty. Foden’s loyalty runs deep. And Pep Guardiola is not one to sell his crown jewels, not while he still has control.
Still, the timing of this story adds another layer of drama. City’s win over United had reminded everyone of their power. But their place in the table shows they are not dominating as usual. They are eighth, six points behind leaders Liverpool. Guardiola knows he needs every ounce of quality if he is to chase down Klopp’s men. Losing Foden now—even if the window is technically closed in Europe—would be devastating.
Meanwhile, over at United, their own problems continue. Roy Keane, the old captain turned pundit, tore into Luke Shaw after the derby, claiming he had been “getting away with murder for years.” Keane blasted United’s players for showing no fight, no tackles, no yellow cards, in what used to be the fiercest game in English football. It was a reminder of how far United have fallen, while City, with players like Foden, keep climbing.
This contrast makes the Saudi bid even more interesting. Because if Foden ever left, City would lose more than a player—they would lose a symbol of their dominance over their rivals.
As the September 23 Saudi deadline approaches, the world will keep watching. But Pep Guardiola has already drawn the line. He has said no. Foden stays. For City fans, that is all they wanted to hear. But the fear lingers. What if Al Nassr comes back with even more? What if Foden himself one day decides to try something new? For now, though, Manchester is blue, and Phil Foden is still theirs.
And so, this story is not just about an offer. It is about football’s future. The Premier League is still the richest league in the world, but Saudi Arabia is coming fast, and their money is shaking the game in ways we have never seen before. If they can tempt a 25-year-old Phil Foden, then truly nothing is safe. But for now, City fans can breathe, sing his name, and dream of more derby goals, more titles, and more nights of magic under the Etihad lights.
