Everton are keeping a close eye on Rico Lewis.
It was TEAMtalk who recently claimed that the Toffees are monitoring Lewis after he fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – making just three Premier League starts this season as Matheus Nunes is preferred on the right of defence.
There are, however, five other clubs interested – Newcastle, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Brighton.
It will therefore be tough to sign the boyhood Manchester City fan – especially as he remains under contract until the summer of 2030 – but James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite could help to lure him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Guardiola and Grealish absolutely adore him… 👏
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Rico Lewis.
Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington/Copa.
Rico Lewis knows Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner well from England U21 duty
The Manchester City No.82 is familiar with the Everton duo from international duty, having spent time alongside them in England U21 camps.
Having already been part of the same backline as Branthwaite for the Three Lions, Lewis might be more open to joining Everton over one of the other five aforementioned clubs.
It would be a significant moment for the 21-year-old if he leaves Manchester City, where he has played since the age of nine, and a big step like that would be made a lot easier by having some familiar faces around to help him settle.
Not only are Branthwaite and Garner at Everton, but Jack Grealish could be staying into the 2026/27 campaign.
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Grealish adores Lewis – previously hailing the man born in Bury while at the Etihad Stadium with him – so if The Friedkin Group manage to keep the Everton No.18 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it would surely only increase the chances of the Manchester City academy graduate joining, in our view at least.
As aforesaid, the versatile England international, who can play in midfield or at right-back, remains under contract until 2030, so a deal may not be cheap for Everton.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates as Thierno Barry of Everton scores a goal vs Newcastle. James Garner of Everton plays during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Jordan Pickford of Everton celebrates their side's first goal vs Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Images/Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto/Michael Driver/MI News/James Gill – Danehouse.
However, with Seamus Coleman potentially retiring soon as the Irishman nears his 38th birthday, a move for Lewis would at least mean Everton have a long-term replacement nailed down.
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