Everton are pushing to sign Man City’s ‘unusual’ player as the transfer window is revealed
Everton should do everything possible to sign Rico Lewis if Man City are truly willing to let him go.
Players with his combination of technical quality, versatility and Premier League experience are rare to find at the age of 21, let alone at clubs outside of the title contenders.
David Moyes has spent much of the summer searching for the right solution at right-back, but Lewis will be much more than that.
He is the type of footballer who can change the way Everton play.
Unlike the average defender, Lewis offers tactical flexibility that very few players have.
Under Pep Guardiola, he operated at right back, left back, midfield and as an inverted full back who moved into the middle of the pitch while playing the ball.
That versatility was one of the reasons Guardiola called him a “huge” and “amazing” talent, while comparing his skills to Germany’s Philipp Lahm, describing him as City’s version of the legendary defender.
That’s why Everton’s latest move feels so ambitious.
Everton will be looking for Man City ‘full-back’ Rico Lewis
According to Spanish journalist Christian Vaquero in X, the Blues will now do “everything” to sign Lewis.
He adds that the England international is open to leaving the Etihad in pursuit of regular football and, more importantly, City are ready to negotiate if the right offer comes along.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
Christian Vaquero is a Spanish football journalist who regularly reports on transfer developments involving La Liga and Premier League clubs. Although he is not yet considered by the best transfer experts in Europe, his information is increasingly mentioned in other shops. |
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Finance |
Lewis still has a long-term contract at City, meaning Everton will likely need to pay a hefty fee. City’s strong negotiating position for the defender increases his value, so any deal would represent one of Everton’s biggest financial commitments in the window. |
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Understanding |
Lewis stands out because of his versatility. Equally comfortable in defense or midfield, he learns the game quickly, rarely wastes possession and adapts easily to different systems. Those qualities have earned him repeated praise from Pep Guardiola despite stiff competition from the City team. |
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Impact |
Signing Lewis would give Everton much more than a new right-back. He would allow Moyes to cover many holes at the same time, and his technical quality would improve the play of the formation team. At just 21 years old, he could be a cornerstone of Everton’s team for years to come. |
Those two events change the picture a lot.
For much of last year, City looked as if Lewis would remain part of their plans despite the fierce competition for places.
But with opportunities becoming more limited following further additions to the squad, Everton now believe they could finally have a realistic chance of completing the deal.
Moyes has already strengthened his midfield this summer but continues to look for a long-term answer on the right side of defence.
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Lewis will immediately raise the standard of the team while giving Moyes the opportunity to change the situation during games without substitutions.
The biggest challenge will probably be financial.
Lewis is still under contract until 2030, meaning City are still in control of negotiations despite reports that they are willing to listen to offers.
Everton will therefore need to present an attractive transfer package and a convincing sporting project if they hope to attract all the clubs.
