Everton are pushing forward in negotiations to sign England international Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City. The 29-year-old winger, once the crown jewel of English football’s new generation, has endured a frustrating spell on the fringes at the Etihad and now appears ready for a fresh challenge.
Talks between both clubs are progressing, with sources confirming that while a deal is not yet finalized, Everton are confident of securing the player who once commanded a record-breaking £100 million transfer fee from Aston Villa in 2021. Grealish, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, was left out of City’s squad for their final Premier League match against Fulham and also missed the Club World Cup in the United States, further fueling speculation about his future.
Since joining Manchester City, Grealish has collected an enviable haul of silverware, including three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup, while racking up over 150 appearances. Yet last season, his influence waned dramatically. He started just seven league matches in a campaign where City, unusually, finished without a major trophy. Even in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, Pep Guardiola opted to hand a debut to 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri rather than turn to Grealish from the bench.
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The former Aston Villa captain had been eyeing a permanent move this summer, with hopes of joining a Champions League side. However, interest from potential suitors such as Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur never materialized into firm offers. Everton’s proposal may lack the lure of European football, but it offers Grealish something equally valuable, a starring role in Sean Dyche’s plans and the chance to reignite his career at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The past two years have been a rollercoaster for Grealish. After playing a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic Treble-winning season in 2022-23s starting the FA Cup final and every Champions League knockout match, he was expected to go from strength to strength. In that campaign, only six outfield City players registered more league minutes than him. But a hamstring injury early in the 2023-24 season derailed his momentum, leading to a year defined more by yellow cards than goal contributions. He managed just six combined goals and assists in all competitions, compared to seven yellow cards, and featured in only 40% of the available minutes despite being fit for most matchdays.
Last season marked the lowest point of his career in terms of output since his Premier League breakthrough in 2019. He made just 16 starts in all competitions, with half of his post-Christmas appearances coming against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup. His once-feared dribbling ability and creativity also dipped to career lows, a far cry from his days as Aston Villa’s talisman, when he regularly tormented defenders with his fearless runs.
The potential move to Everton is not just about club football. Grealish has his sights firmly set on returning to Gareth Southgate’s England squad after missing out on the 2024 European Championship, a snub he admitted was bitterly disappointing. A starring role on Merseyside, coupled with consistent performances, could put him back in contention for the Three Lions ahead of the next international cycle.
While Manchester City are yet to fully green-light the deal, insiders suggest that Grealish’s departure on loan is increasingly likely, with Everton prepared to cover a significant portion of his wages. The move would represent a statement of ambition from Dyche’s side, who see Grealish as the creative spark to drive them up the Premier League table.
For Grealish, this could be the lifeline his career needs, a chance to rediscover the swagger, confidence, and influence that once made him one of England’s most exciting footballers. For Everton, it could be the signing that transforms their attack and injects star power into their first season at a brand-new home. As negotiations continue, all eyes are on Merseyside to see whether this blockbuster loan deal will cross the finish line.
