As David Moyes himself admitted recently, Everton have been searching for a new right-back for over 12 months now.
Nathan Patterson has not convinced, while Seamus Coleman is approaching the end of his career and the fitness battles that come with it.
A primary right-back target across these past 12 months was Wesley, judging by several reports in Brazil and in Italy.
It was The Athletic who claimed in January 2025 that Everton wanted to sign the Brazil international, and the links continued until Roma won the race and sealed a £17m deal in July 2025.
Now – according to Netfla in Brazil – Wesley could appear at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season, but for Manchester City rather than Everton.
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David Moyes quote on Seamus Coleman's Everton future.
Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
Manchester City planning to make £43m bid for Wesley
The Brazilian news outlet now state that Pep Guardiola remains an admirer of the South American – having also lost out to Roma along with Everton – and is plotting a bid this summer.
Like Everton, Manchester City are also in need of a proper right-back, and have been using Matheus Nunes, a midfielder by trade, in that area for well over a year.
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That initial report from The Athletic claimed Wesley was valued at just £16m in January 2025, and his value has evidently soared with Manchester City now planning a £43m bid.
It just goes to prove that Everton missed out on a bargain who could have solved the right-back dilemma for the foreseeable future, with arguably the greatest manager in Europe now ready to spend heavily on the Roma defender.
The 22-year-old has impressed in his first season at Roma so far, netting three goals in 22 Serie A appearances as The Friedkin Group’s Italian side sit fifth.
Everton in no position to rival Pep Guardiola for Wesley
If talk of a £43m bid for Wesley is true, it completely rules Everton out of the race.
The i Paper say Everton have £70m to spend on new signings this summer before the Toffees risk breaching any financial rules.
However, Everton also need to make improvements at left-back and in the striker department, so it would be foolish to spend over half of that budget trying to compete against Manchester City for Wesley.
Perhaps The Friedkin Group already know this, with cheaper options such as the £15m Brooke Norton-Cuffy being discussed as a target for Everton by Italian reporters after interest in January.
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Everton need more in attack from their full-backs
A comparison of Jake O'Brien and Nathan Patterson's goal contributions for Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/George Wood.
Hopefully, Everton have abandoned the pursuit of Wesley, as it would be a waste of time trying to beat Guardiola to his signature.
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