Everton fans have been marvelling at Jack Grealish ever since his loan spell from Manchester City was confirmed earlier this summer – but now the full cost of a potential deal has been weighed up.
Jack Grealish, who was the first £100million footballer in English football history, started well at Manchester City but slowly fell out of favour, leading to his loan move to Everton.
Two assists on his debut against Brighton immediately endeared himself to the Hill Dickinson Stadium faithful, and it immediately led to fans asking how much he would cost.
And now finance expert Kieran Maguire has laid bare what it would cost to bring the 39-cap England star to Merseyside for the coming years.
Jack Grealish during Sunderland v Everton - Premier League
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Kieran Maguire says Jack Grealish could almost hit £100million in fees for Everton
Speaking exclusively to Everton News, Liverpool University football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire stated that it could cost £20million per year to land Grealish permanently if he signs a four-year contract to take him close to his 35th birthday.
Speaking on a potential transfer, the finance expert told us: “I think this will be a very good test of Everton’s capacity to make a decision for footballing rather than emotional reasons.
“Jack Grealish is an incredibly popular footballer among fans of many, many clubs. Why? Because he is a likeable individual. He has authenticity, unlike many of the corporate personas we see in many of his colleagues.
“That is driven by management teams, of course. He has made a very solid start, but from Everton’s point of view, he will be nearly 31 by the end of the season. It would have to be a tapering contract – and I think it would effectively be his last contract.
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“He could sign a four-year deal, with £12.5m in amortisation plus his wages, which are going to be £150,000-200,000 per week. That means Grealish is costing you £20m per year.
“That is for a football club which has been bumping around the £190m mark in terms of revenue. That will clearly go up this season. But even if matchday income doubles at the Hill Dickinson, Grealish is still going to be taking up 10 per cent of your revenue for a season.
“If he delivers and there are a lot of sponsors who are willing to sign with Everton on the back of that, then, yes, go ahead and do the deal. But he has to perform. Personally, I would be delighted for him.”
Grealish openly admitted he is enjoying his football once again, and seeing him at his best is something that the wider footballing world will be enjoying.
But whether Everton can prolong his career on Merseyside is another question, finance depending.
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League
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Jack Grealish has been a star for Everton but others have performed better
Everton have been a much better footballing outfit with Grealish in their ranks.
His close dribbling, knowhow and general ability on the ball have allowed the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye to flourish as teams start to double up on the former Aston Villa man.
However, despite his great performances to start the season which rewarded Grealish with August’s Premier League Player of the Month trophy, he’s not been Everton’s best player.
Ndiaye has been a real shining light in the Premier League this season. The Senegal international has been noted for his dazzling dribbling displays, resulting in interest from Inter Milan, currently sitting as Everton’s top goalscorer on 12 goals.
Elsewhere, James Garner has earned plaudits for his consistent performances, and Idrissa Gueye is still an important mainstay in Everton’s side despite being 36 years of age.