Phil Foden's new Manchester City deal will be cause for huge celebration at the Etihad

When the transfer window closes at the end of this month there will be one contract in the files at the Etihad Stadium that Manchester City fans will treasure above all the others.

Despite the fact that the English Premier League champions have, this summer, brought in two of the world’s most exciting young strikers in Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez and added England regular Kalvin Phillips to their midfield contingent, it will be the paperwork containing the signature of 22-year-old Phil Foden that will make the faithful smile the most.

In the coming weeks, lifelong City fan Foden will finally put pen to paper on his first big-money, long-term contract – an agreement that will probably tie him to City for the next six years.

At the same time, the deal will bring to fruition a prophecy made three years ago by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Speaking in his traditional end of season interview in 2019, Al Mubarak predicted great things for the Stockport-born tyro Foden, who was then on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

“Phil accepts the evolution of his role,” said the City chief. “Phil Foden will be a top, top, superstar for this club.

“He will be one the most important players of this new generation we are developing and he will be the future of Manchester City.

“The best thing he’s done is taking the decision of being patient, learning and working with the best manager in the world who has been dedicated to him reaching his potential.”

Erling Haaland during a training session at Manchester City Football Academy. Getty

Where that potential ends is anyone’s guess, but if Foden just sees out his new deal he will almost certainly end up as one of – if not the – most decorated players in the club’s history and is