Report: Everton sign Grealish on loan deal with £50m option from Man City | OneFootball

Loan deal with option to buy in region of £50m moves closer

Everton are set to complete the signing of Grealish on loan from Man City, with talks progressing rapidly and a medical expected to take place later today. The proposed agreement includes an option to buy for around £50 million, with the 29-year-old contracted at the Etihad until 2027.

Discussions between the two clubs intensified in recent days, following a season in which the England international struggled for regular minutes. Grealish made just 16 starts across all competitions for Man City last term, with only seven of those in the Premier League. He was omitted from the squad for their final league fixture against Fulham and did not travel for this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.

Grealish’s Man City journey and changing role

Since joining from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British record £100 million fee, Grealish has made 157 appearances for Man City, registering 17 goals and 23 assists. His time in Manchester has brought significant silverware — three Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.

One of his standout campaigns came in 2022–23, when he was a central figure in City’s treble-winning side, starting every Champions League knockout match. However, competition for attacking roles has grown, with players such as Phil Foden, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Omar Marmoush and Bernardo Silva often preferred in recent line-ups.

City manager Pep Guardiola previously spoke of wanting to see Grealish reach the heights he displayed during that treble-winning season, highlighting the player’s importance when at full form.

Everton’s attacking ambitions

If completed, Grealish would become Everton’s fifth summer arrival, joining Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Carlos Alcaraz also signed permanently following a loan spell at Goodison Park.

Everton finished last season with one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive records but have been seeking a creative spark to elevate their attacking play. The expectation is for Grealish to operate as a primary creative force, likely alternating between central and left-sided roles.

There is intrigue over how he will integrate with existing options, particularly Iliman Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall, who has already been deployed in an advanced midfield role. However, Everton’s right flank remains an area in need of more pace and direct goal threat.

Financial commitment and potential impact

The Merseyside club are expected to cover a large share of Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages, making this a significant financial outlay under the Friedkin Group’s new ownership. The total cost for the season could exceed £10 million, representing a calculated risk.

Should Grealish recapture his best form, the investment could look inspired — potentially propelling Everton up the table and strengthening their push for European qualification. On the other hand, his reduced game time at Man City last season means there is no guarantee of an immediate return to peak performance.

What is clear is that Everton are entering a new phase of ambition, with the arrival of such a high-profile player underlining their intent. Supporters will be eager to see whether this deal can provide the catalyst for a more dynamic, competitive side heading into life at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.