Enzo Maresca will give Jack Grealish the chance to impress in Manchester City's pre-season tour of Asia despite Everton wanting a permanent deal for the attacker.
Grealish, 30, was shipped to the Merseyside club following a drop in form and minutes under Pep Guardiola, and impressed for Everton, contributing to eight goals across 20 appearances.
The Treble winner, who penned a British-record fee when he moved from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021 for £100 million, had his season-long loan cut short after suffering a foot injury which ended his campaign in January.
Moyes on Grealish's injury
"It's a huge blow; he's played an important part for us since the start of the season. We've had a few injuries, but this is a big blow to us," Everton manager David Moyes said at the time.
"We're in close contact with Manchester City. We'll see how that works as we go along and as we get more information from the specialist. We're upset for Jack."
For what seemed like a move that would ultimately end Grealish's City career, the winger's time at Everton – paired with the arrival of Maresca at the Etihad Stadium – has bolstered his chances of returning to the eight-time Premier League champions.
The Toffees are reportedly monitoring Grealish's fitness and chances at City and could approach the club for a permanent deal. However, according to Football Insider, a revival in the north west is not out of the question as City prepare for a new era under the former Chelsea boss.
Grealish and Phillips back at work
Grealish posted a video of himself alongside Kalvin Phillips, who recently returned from a loan spell at Sheffield United, in a 40C chamber on Friday at the City training ground.
And Maresca is keen to give every first-team player, including the aforementioned duo, the chance to prove themselves in pre-season as he strives for more depth than what Guardiola desired.
City's Asia tour fixtures
City will face K-League All Stars at the Seoul World Cup Stadium before taking on Atletico Madrid four days later. A rematch of the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final awaits the Citizens first, though, which will be played on Saturday, August 1 in Hong Kong.
Maresca began at City's Elite Development Squad before taking charge of Parma. He later led Leicester City to Premier League promotion and also managed Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup as his career continued on a positive trajectory.