Everton are stepping up their interest in Manchester City defender Rico Lewis, with David Moyes said to be a big admirer of the 21-year-old’s versatility, according to TEAMtalk.
Lewis can operate at right-back, left-back or in midfield, and City are understood to be open to a sale for the right price, with a fee in the region of £30m expected to be enough to prise him away from the Etihad.
It’s a timely update on a story Everton have been tracking closely for weeks, with the club’s need at right-back well established following Seamus Coleman’s departure this summer. Moyes has used Jake O’Brien out of position there for long spells, and Lewis’s ability to cover multiple roles across the back line and midfield makes him an obvious fit.
Lewis fell down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola last season, restricted to just three Premier League starts, and has since lost his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up as a result.
Nottingham Forest have already had an offer knocked back, believed to be worth around £26m, while Fulham and Newcastle are also credited with interest — meaning Everton will face competition even with City’s valuation now looking clearer.
City are under no real pressure to sell, with Lewis contracted until 2030, but as a homegrown player his sale would register as close to pure profit under the Premier League’s financial rules — a factor that may yet work in Everton’s favour as talks develop.
This piece draws on reporting from TEAMtalk and has not been independently confirmed by Everton or Manchester City.
