Everton?
Everton Target Grealish as City Open Exit Door
Jack Grealish’s time at City looks to be winding down — and Everton have emerged as serious contenders for his next move.
City are open to letting the 29-year-old leave this summer, and while a permanent transfer remains the preference at the Etihad, a high-end loan deal hasn’t been ruled out. Everton are hoping to take advantage of the uncertainty and offer him a route back to regular football — and retain life close to home.
Grealish has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola. Left out of the squad for the Club World Cup, he’s now effectively surplus to requirements. Napoli and others have shown interest, but the player is understood to favour staying in the north of England — with family stability a major factor following the recent birth of his first child.
Everton can offer a familiar base in Cheshire and something he hasn’t had for a while — freedom on the pitch. David Moyes, expected to oversee a new phase at Goodison under the Friedkin Group’s ownership, is keen to build a more expressive side and sees Grealish as central to that.
City’s style has demanded discipline from Grealish, often at odds with the natural game that earned him a £100 million move from Aston Villa. Friends and former coaches say he’s never looked entirely at ease within Guardiola’s rigid system, despite playing an important role in City’s treble-winning campaign.
His numbers in Manchester reflect a solid if not spectacular spell: 17 goals and 23 assists in 157 appearances. But there’s a sense the move never quite clicked — flashes of brilliance, yes, but without the regular impact expected from a player of his price and profile.
Everton are looking to capitalise. Whether they can strike terms with City remains to be seen, but they believe the timing, geography and footballing fit all point in their favour.
