Everton are pressing to open talks with Manchester City over a summer move for right-back Rico Lewis, with the club now positioned at the front of the queue for the 21-year-old.
Lewis, a City academy graduate, has been identified as a priority target as Everton look to solve a long-standing problem in his defence. According to reports, the England international is available this summer after slipping down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, and Everton are moving quickly to try to force through a deal before their rivals can.
City are understood to be open to a sale. New head coach Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola at the end of June, is prepared to let Lewis leave in search of regular football, and the club “will not stand in his way” if the player pushes for an exit. As a homegrown player carried at little cost in the accounts, any fee City receive would register as near-pure profit under the Premier League’s financial rules – a further incentive to cash in.
Reports value Lewis at around £35m, though that figure is likely to be tested. Nottingham Forest, who have also chased the full-back, are said to have had an offer in the region of £26m rebuffed earlier in the window. Everton will need to go beyond that mark to convince City to do business.
I've done some checking thanks to a kind tip. Rico Lewis to Everton could be a thing. Fee of around £30m.
— The Real Tolmie's Hairdoo (@RealTolmie) July 15, 2026
Why City are willing to sell
Lewis broke into the City first team as a teenager and has more than 110 senior appearances to his name, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League. But his game time fell away sharply last season, when he found himself behind Matheus Nunes in the pecking order and started only a handful of league matches.
Why Everton want him
It’s no secret that Everton desperately need a right-back after being forced to use Jake O’Brien out of position for long stretches last season. Lewis, comfortable both as an orthodox full-back and inverting into midfield, is regarded as an ideal fit for the profile Everton have been searching for, and at 21 he represents the kind of long-term addition the club want as they build for a new era.
He is not the only name on Everton’s list. The club have also been credited with interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Djed Spence, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Guela Doue.
Everton lead the race for Rico Lewis
Everton are not alone in their pursuit. Nottingham Forest have been the most persistent suitors so far, while Fulham, Bournemouth and Newcastle United are among a clutch of clubs to have registered interest. That competition means Everton will need to act decisively – both in agreeing personal terms with the player and in meeting City’s valuation – if they are to win the race.