David Moyes was spotted at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Manchester City swept Liverpool aside 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final, and his presence there is no coincidence given Everton’s transfer priorities heading into the summer.
Moyes has two clear items of business on his agenda. The first is keeping Jack Grealish, who joined on loan from City last August and has been one of the most impactful signings of Everton’s season before a foot injury cut his campaign short in January. The second is a reported interest in Rico Lewis, the Manchester City full-back who has struggled for consistent minutes at the Etihad this season and has been linked with a summer departure.
Why keeping Jack Grealish must be Everton’s top transfer priority
The numbers tell the story clearly. In 17 Premier League appearances, Grealish contributed two goals and six assists for the Toffees, accounting for 22% of every league goal Everton scored while he was involved. He hit the ground running from his very first game, providing two assists on debut, and elevated the attack to a level that Moyes has struggled to replicate since losing him to injury.
Everton currently sit eighth in the Premier League table with 46 points from 31 games, a vastly improved position compared to the relegation battles of recent seasons. Grealish’s influence on that improvement cannot be overstated. Getting him fit and securing his return for 2026-27 is, on the face of it, the single most important piece of business the club can do this summer.
The Rico Lewis interest and what it means for Everton
The reported interest in Rico Lewis adds another layer to Moyes’ Etihad visit. The 20-year-old England international has not nailed down a regular starting position at City this season, and with Pep Guardiola’s squad evolution continuing, a loan or permanent exit is not out of the question. Lewis would bring Premier League-proven quality at full-back, fitting the profile of dynamic, technically assured young players that Moyes has targeted since returning to Goodison Park.
Whether City would sanction any deal involving Lewis remains to be seen, but Moyes clearly has the right connections and the right motivation to at least open that conversation. His Etihad appearance suggests those talks are already progressing quietly in the background.
