For City, Everton's interest offers a clear exit route for a player who has entered the final stages of his contract at the Etihad. With Grealish highly unlikely to feature in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup due to the timing of his recovery, his focus is solely on being fit for pre-season. Whether that pre-season takes place at Finch Farm or elsewhere remains the multi-million-pound question. If Everton can strike a deal that satisfies all parties, the playmaker looks set to remain the face of the Blues' ambitious rebuild. For now, the ball is in the court of the negotiators as they look to turn a successful loan into a long-term partnership.