David Moyes is putting together the final pieces of the puzzle for a new-look Everton attack as a deal for Jack Grealish nears completion.
The Blues are slowly building a side that looks more than capable of escaping the looming threat of Premier League relegation, a common theme at the club in recent years.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the latest addition at the Hill Dickinson Stadium following Everton’s big-money acquisition of Thierno Barry in a £33 million deal from Villarreal.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Jack Grealish will undergo his medical on Merseyside on Monday after Everton and Manchester City struck a loan agreement for the forward.
🚨💣 EXCL: Jack Grealish to Everton, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Man City and medical booked later today.
Grealish said yes to #EFC project and he’s now set to complete his move in next 24 hours.
New addition for David Moyes. 🔵🃏 pic.twitter.com/iP4e0rh7yb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2025
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With another attacking weapon poised to join Moyes’ side, after thwarting Tottenham’s interest in the 29-year-old, here are two potential winners and losers from both sides of the deal as Grealish aims to revitalise his stalled career.
Winner: Thierno Barry
It is a rare sight to see the Blues sanction a big-money outlay on one signing, but clearly, those within the Hill Dickinson Stadium hold the 22-year-old in high regard.
Everton believe Barry can be a superstar in the Premier League, and the plan moving forward appears to be for Moyes to build the squad around his new 6ft 4in centre-forward.
Indeed, Moyes steadied the ship after replacing Sean Dyche at Goodison Park last season; however, a return of 42 goals scored across the season left a lot to be desired.
Thierno Barry of Everton during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Grealish will have the perfect environment to rediscover his love of the game after spending the last few years as a bit-part player at the Etihad, with Barry acting as a direct beneficiary of what the Englishman can bring to Everton.
Winner: Oscar Bobb
The 22-year-old has been cast into the shadows at Manchester City despite displaying significant promise during his breakout campaign in 2023/24.
TBR Football understands that Tottenham are pursuing a deal for Savinho, which, paired with Grealish’s impending Etihad exit, leaves a clear pathway for Oscar Bobb to re-establish himself as a first-team candidate.
Although Omar Marmoush will now likely be considered as a nailed-on starter for Pep Guardiola should both departures be finalised, Jeremy Doku’s position is far from secure.
Oscar Bobb of Manchester City during a training session open to the public advertised as the 'City are Back' event at Joie Stadium on August 05, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The Belgian has failed to surpass three Premier League goals across his two-year spell in England and could well be cast to the bench should Bobb take his newfound opportunity with both hands.
Loser: Dwight McNeil
Dwight McNeil enjoyed his most productive campaign to date, registering 11 goal contributions across all competitions for the Blues.
However, the 25-year-old was absent for over three months through injury, as Iliman Ndiaye seamlessly filled the void on the left flank – Ndiaye was told he could play for Manchester City after a stellar debut season.
Now, Moyes has given a sneak peek at how he wishes to set up for the Premier League curtain raiser against Leeds United, with new signing Dewsbury-Hall slotting into the number 10 role, Carlos Alcaraz on the right flank, and Ndiaye on the left.
Dwight McNeil of Everton FC gestures during the Premier League Summer Series match against Manchester United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Photo by AJ Reynolds/Getty Images
Add Grealish into the mix, and it is hard to envision where McNeil will be able to force a way into the starting line-up this season.
Loser: Manchester City
As exclusively revealed by TBR Football in May, Manchester City have actively attempted to offload Grealish in a permanent transfer, as Guardiola made it clear that he no longer has a future at the Etihad.
However, reported interest failed to materialise into a concrete move, and now the Citizens have resorted to sanctioning a loan exit in a desperate attempt to shift Grealish’s wages from their books.
While it is yet to be reported how much of the wages Everton will subsidise during his time on Merseyside, the agreement is likely to see Manchester City shoulder most of the burden.
Pep Guardiola looks on during the Club World Cup.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Although the riches of Sheikh Mansour know no bounds, paying hundreds of thousands per week for a player who could directly impact the club’s Premier League title aspirations this season is a foolish move.