Jack Grealish is set to join Everton on loan from Manchester City after giving up hope of a permanent move to a Champions League club this summer. The midfielder's value has dipped since his £100million transfer to Manchester City, and an exit during the current window was always on the cards. Pep Guardiola sanctioned his departure after struggling to provide him with regular game time towards the end of the season.
Everton have stepped in to secure Grealish on loan, leaving the ex-Aston Villa ace facing uncertainty about his future again in a year's time - a situation he had hoped to avoid.
The 29-year-old has also had to temper his ambitions of playing in the Champions League, according to the BBC. Grealish had wanted to continue his career in Europe, but neither Newcastle nor Tottenham, both linked with him, made a bid.
Grealish will now play a key role in Everton's inaugural season at their new cutting-edge Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the loan deal potentially costing the Toffees over £10m once fees and wages are taken into account.
During his stint in Manchester, Grealish racked up more than 150 appearances, clinching three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup. He played a pivotal role in their treble-winning campaign, but last season only started seven league matches as City finished the year without a major trophy.
Guardiola's decision to exclude him from the Club World Cup squad in the USA was a clear indication of his dwindling status at the club. It is believed that City were prepared to assist Grealish in finding a new club, a move seen as beneficial for all parties involved, with Guardiola empathising with his player's situation.
He stated at the end of the previous season: "It's not [only] Jack. There is not one player in my locker room, and I think all the locker rooms around the world, that is happy [when they] do not play. When the team is winning and winning they have to figure out how everything happens – but they are not happy. They are here to play and, when they don't play, they are not satisfied. That is the normal position in all the clubs."
One of the key factors that influenced Grealish's decision to join Everton was the opportunity to catch the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel and put himself back on the radar. The midfielder was left out of the Euro 2024 squad, a disappointment he admitted left him "heartbroken".