Phil Foden has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City, committing his future to the club until 2030. But did the England forward ever consider walking away from the Etihad?

According to sources close to the 25-year-old, the answer is a firm no. Despite losing his starting spot under Pep Guardiola earlier this year, Foden's loyalty to his boyhood club never wavered.

The new deal brings an end to any uncertainty surrounding his future, especially as he entered the final 12 months of his previous contract. Speculation had linked him with moves to Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but those closest to Foden insist leaving Manchester City was never on the table.

Foden's path hasn't been smooth lately. After a stellar 2023-24 season where he earned the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, the 2024-25 campaign proved challenging. He openly admitted to mental and physical struggles, acknowledging that "some things are bigger than football" as he worked through inconsistency on the pitch.

His place in Guardiola's starting XI became uncertain from January, with Rayan Cherki and January signing Antoine Semenyo moving ahead of him in the attacking pecking order. Yet through it all, Foden's heart remained set on staying at the club he joined as a child.

"Leaving Manchester City was never a consideration," a source close to Foden confirmed. "His commitment to the club is absolute."

For City fans, this commitment is a welcome vote of confidence in the club's project. And for Foden, it's a chance to rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier League's most exciting talents – all while wearing the sky blue he's called home for his entire career.