The Blues boss said he could see an Everton future in which the star continued to play a key role
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
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David Moyes can see an Everton future in which Jack Grealish is part of the long-term effort to rebuild the club. The Blues boss has been pleased with the impact of the Manchester City loanee, who has quickly won the adoration of the fanbase through his skill, commitment and match-winning moments against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
He would like Grealish's love affair with the supporters to continue into next season - though acknowledged City chiefs would need to budge on their valuation of the playmaker to make that possible.
He also accepted the England international would need to be open to the move - highlighting his past relationship with Jesse Lingard as an example of him rejuvenating a player only to then find himself unable to convince him to stay.
Grealish sent the away end into raptures at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday when his deflected shot gave Everton a first Premier League win at a venue that has tormented the club through recent years. It was his latest landmark moment since joining in the summer - others including the two assists he picked up in the win that launched the Blues' new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After the game he spoke of his relationship with Moyes, stating he loved him “to pieces”. The Scot's response was to hail his star man but to jokingly question whether he liked the idea of being ‘loved’ by one of his players.
Speaking on Friday, ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest, Moyes added he felt their growing connection was helped by him feeling he did not have to “bulls***” the player about his expectations of him.
Asked whether he could see Grealish still being at Everton next season, he said: “Yes I do… He has to keep showing what he is capable of doing. The biggest thing for me is that he has been getting through the games. I have not been feeling like I need to take him off.
“Yes, there have been a couple of games where I have taken him off and changed, but he has done fine and covered most of the 90 minute games. He is doing well.”
Whether a deal would be possible next summer is partly dependent on whether City would be open to negotiations over a fee. The loan deal is understood to contain an option to make it permanent for around £50m but Moyes stressed that would be beyond the Blues, particularly given Grealish has now passed 30.
He said: “I am sure we would have to alter that. I don’t think we would be in that ball game and let’s be fair adding everything into it, his age, it would be very difficult to pay that sort of money.”
Moyes is hopeful positive talks with City may be possible should Grealish continue to excel - though he also said he understood the former Aston Villa midfielder would have to want to make the switch.
While he believes Grealish has found a new home at Everton, he said that was not always enough: “I use the example of Jesse Lingard. I took him to West Ham and nearly begged Jesse to come to us again because we really liked him.
“Jesse came and scored nine goals in 16 games and got himself back in the England squad. They are different players and different situations but he probably thought he was going back to play for Manchester United and he didn’t at the time.
“If he had stayed he would have been great for West Ham, especially with how well he had done. We tracked him throughout the summer but couldn’t get it back because he had been told he was going to play for Man Utd again - and he didn’t.
“I am not saying that will be the same situation with Jack but sometimes you have to make brave decisions. I think Jesse enjoyed his time at West Ham and he was adored as well because of the goals he was scoring.”