Jack Grealish could be closing in on a surprising move from Manchester City to Everton. As reported by The Athletic, the Liverpool side is looking to bring in the forward on a season-long loan. He’s still under contract with City until 2027 and remains the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Talks have been going on since the early weeks of the European summer and have picked up pace, especially after Grealish was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup.
When City paid around £100 million for him in 2021, the expectation was that he could be an important figure in Pep Guardiola's plans. For a while, that seemed to be the case. In the previous campaign, he started 26 of the 36 matches he played, chipping in with key performances in important moments. But last season was a very different story. Across 32 appearances, Grealish scored three times, added five assists, and spent half of those games watching from the bench. The drop in minutes tells its own story about where he stands now.
What Everton can offer
For Everton, landing Grealish would instantly raise the team’s technical level. The club’s had a rough spell in the Premier League and needs players who can swing close matches in their favor. His experience on big stages, both domestic and international, is something Everton’s squad could use right away. A loan also makes financial sense, the cost can be shared, and there’s no need for an immediate big-money purchase.
Pep Guardiola has always said he picks his lineup based on performance, not reputation. Keeping Grealish around adds depth to a squad competing on multiple fronts, but there’s the challenge of managing a player who’s no longer a regular starter. Letting him play more minutes somewhere else could keep him sharp and even help City maintain or increase his market value if they decide to move him on later.
A possible win for all sides
Even with Everton’s interest, getting the deal done won’t be easy. City has no pressing need to sell, and they can afford to keep him as a rotation option. Everton still needs to figure out if the boost he brings on the pitch is worth the investment, and whether he’d settle quickly into their system. Then there’s the player’s own decision, accepting a loan move would mean facing the reality that his role at City has shrunk.
Handled the right way, though, this could work out for everyone. City keeps a valuable player fit and in the shop window. Everton adds proven Premier League quality without stretching its budget too far. And Grealish gets back on the field regularly, rebuilds his confidence, and maybe repositions himself as a key figure heading into the next phase of his career.