Jack Grealish blows a kiss while playing for Everton alongside a circle inset of the Manchester City badge
Jack Grealish blows a kiss while playing for Everton alongside a circle inset of the Manchester City badge
Everton could find themselves in an ideal situation to sign Jack Grealish for nothing this summer.
The former England international was a true star for the Toffees in the early outings of his loan spell.
His experience and attacking quality made a big difference on Merseyside, but was ultimately ruined.
His final game came away in a hard-fought win away to eventual Europa League winners Aston Villa as injury cut his campaign short by January.
The Blues still want to sign Grealish permanently as complicated deal with Manchester City now set to become much more simple.
David Moyes has been keen to get the attacking midfielder back to L3 on a permanent basis.
That sums up the sort of impact he made while on loan and what sort of difference he could make as a full time member of the squad.
His injury has had a negative impact on the proceedings of a transfer with the Toffees unwilling to pay the £30million that Man City originally wanted at the end of his loan spell.
It now looks as if they are willing to compromise, with Alan Nixon reporting on Friday that the Citizens may allow Grealish to go to Everton without a fee until he is back playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Englishman may not return to training until August and could only be available for selection in October, so negotiations have been difficult.
All parties are said to want a solution, so an initial free transfer may be the best case scenario at this stage.
Everton in dream situation with potential Grealish agreement with Manchester City
Of course, the Blues would have loved to have utilised the former Aston Villa man throughout the second half of the campaign.
He could have had a massive impact and helped the Toffees secure European qualification.
It wasn't to be in the end, but his absence could have a positive long term impact on Merseyside.
The chance to land Grealish on an initial free transfer is a great opportunity that wouldn't have been possible without his ill-timed injury.
Everton could get away without paying a penny upfront to land a star player with three Premier League titles under his belt is a dream scenario.
It is unclear how much the Toffees could play in future fees, but just keeping the number 18 in and around Finch Farm will represent a massive boost to everyone.