Everton’s £35m gamble on Lewis as City weigh his future

Everton have identified Manchester City’s Rico Lewis as a priority target to strengthen their right-back options this summer. The 21-year-old England international is valued by City at north of £35 million, according to reports, after the club rejected Nottingham Forest’s approach last year.

The Toffees are positioning themselves to sign Lewis following the departure of Seamus Coleman, who left the club in the summer. Everton’s interest comes amid uncertainty over Lewis’s future at the Etihad Stadium, where he has struggled for regular minutes.

For Lewis, the 2025/26 season was a difficult one at Manchester City. He made just 22 appearances across all competitions, averaging 50.2 minutes per outing, and was frequently omitted from matchday squads. His limited game time impacted his international standing, with Lewis missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The right-back’s lack of consistent minutes at City has raised questions about his long-term prospects at the club. With Matheus Nunes now firmly established as the first-choice right-back under Enzo Maresca, Lewis has fallen down the pecking order, leaving his future uncertain.

Everton’s move for Lewis is part of a broader strategy to address their defensive needs this summer. The club have already been linked with other right-back options, including Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are not actively pushing Lewis out of the door but will not stand in his way if a suitable offer is made. The club’s valuation of north of £35 million reflects their reluctance to part with the academy graduate for less, despite his peripheral role in the first team.

City’s stance leaves the door open for a potential sale, though extracting Lewis from the Etihad Stadium will require Everton to meet their valuation. The Hill Dickinson Stadium side will need to assess whether the investment is justified given Lewis’s current standing within Pep Guardiola’s squad.

For Lewis, a move to Everton could provide the regular football he has lacked in Manchester. The transfer would also offer him a chance to revive his international prospects ahead of future England squads.

The coming weeks will be decisive for both parties, with Everton’s willingness to meet City’s valuation and Lewis’s desire for first-team football likely to shape the outcome of any deal.