The £100m England international could be set for an exit from Manchester City - any deal would come at some cost for his new club
Jack Grealish of Manchester City after his side's 1-0 defeat during the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace. An unused substitute, Grealish could seek to depart City this summer and Everton have been linked to interest in the 29-year-old. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Jack Grealish of Manchester City after his side's 1-0 defeat during the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace. An unused substitute, Grealish could seek to depart City this summer and Everton have been linked to interest in the 29-year-old. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Everton may have to bide their time should they wish to pursue Jack Grealish this summer. The England international has been heavily linked to the Blues over recent days, though other Premier League clubs are also reported to be interested.
The 29-year-old is out of favour at Manchester City after making just 20 Premier League appearances last season and is tipped to miss out on the squad that will take part in the Club World Cup this month.
His lack of opportunities threatens to stifle his international career heading into a World Cup year and it appears a departure from the Etihad may suit both club and player.
Against that backdrop, Everton have been named as one of several parties said to be keeping an eye on the attacking midfielder.
The Blues face a massive squad rebuilding operation this summer with the departures of 10 senior players already confirmed and the futures of Michael Keane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman as yet unresolved.
Grealish would be a statement signing should David Moyes be able to lure him to Merseyside with the promise of being a talisman in the first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Yet while Everton’s ability to spend in the transfer market should vastly improve from July 1 and the beginning of the new fiscal year, any move for Grealish would not be without issue.
Should Man City decide to part ways with the former Aston Villa man the club’s preference would be for a permanent deal in which they recouped a chunk of the £100m British transfer record fee they paid for him back in 2021.
While Everton may be able to spend with more adventure than recent seasons, the asking price would likely cut deep into the budget Moyes needs to use for reinforcements across his entire squad.
Should the Blues decide to make a concerted effort to sign Grealish, a loan move may be more likely. Even then, City would seek a substantial contribution towards his reported £300,000-a-week wages - again potentially pricing Everton out of a move.
The club’s demands would likely change the closer transfer deadline day became without a deal being agreed, potentially opening up greater opportunity for a club like Everton to negotiate a better deal. But the expectation is that, should City and Grealish start this summer seeking his exit, any deal would come at considerable cost.