Should the Toffees sign Jack Grealish on loan? | OneFootball

Jack Grealish is getting linked with a move to Everton, and not for the first time during this transfer window.

However, according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent and Mark Douglas of The i Paper, the Toffees are aiming to secure a loan deal for the wantaway England international.

The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and was left out of City’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup last month. He is determined to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, but competition for his signature is expected to be strong.

“Napoli have expressed interest so far, but Everton feel they have a chance due to the player’s anticipated willingness to stay in the north,” per the report in The Independent.

“The player had a daughter with his long-term partner, Sasha Attwood, in September, and is keen for some stability. Everton would provide the chance to stay in Cheshire and could also present an attractive football opportunity.”

It has also been reported that getting Grealish, the holder of the most expensive British transfer record, would be a “statement signing” for David Moyes, who is keen to build the side around him and offer him a bigger role than Guardiola ever did.

Those close to Grealish’s camp feel that his value has fallen because of the tactical constraints he finds himself in at Man City. With the FIFA World Cup scheduled next year, the former Aston Villa star will be determined to get regular playing time in order to convince manager Thomas Tuchel.

The signing of Grealish on loan would also be a major win on the optics front as it highlights the club’s growing ambition as they move into their new stadium. It would make it an easier sell to attract other quality players.

With just over a month remaining before the transfer market closes, the Blues have their hands full. David Moyes recently told The Athletic, “We’ve been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot of them have said no at the moment.”

Everton were turned down by Liam Delap and Francisco Conceicao, while Kenny Tete opted to sign a new deal with Fulham despite having an agreement with Everton to join as a free agent. The club is also desperately trying to convince Olympique Lyon’s Malick Fofana to join, with the Belgian keen on playing in Europe.

There are also several downsides to the Grealish deal, as it raises a number of financial and tactical questions. Jack Grealish usually plays on the left flank, where Moyes already has the brilliant Iliman Ndiaye. Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz can also play in that position while Everton desperately need to add right-wingers to the squad.

There’s no one in the squad who is naturally suited to that role following the conclusion of loan deals for Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.

The squad’s recent struggles in the friendlies against Accrington Stanley, Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth also showed that the team is crying out for pace and trickery on the flanks. Grealish, while a talented creator at his best, is not particularly known for his speed.

He could, however, be played as a number 10 in the middle of the park. It would allow Grealish to utilise his vision, passing, holding, and associative qualities more freely than being restricted to the wing. A role like this would also closely resemble his time at Aston Villa, where he was often the talisman and difference-maker, leading to the £100 million transfer to City.

There’s merit to be had in that discussion as Grealish has the capability of unlocking difficult game-states and cagey matches. The likes of Thierno Barry, Ndiaye and Beto are also likely to get better service with Grealish operating from the middle.

Then there’s the financial uncertainty surrounding the transfer. The 29-year-old earns around £15m a year at Manchester City. While the terms of the loan discussions are unclear, even if City were to agree to pay 50% of his wages, he would still take more than £7m off the wage books at Everton.

That’s a massive financial commitment to secure one player, who is possibly now past his prime, when the Toffees still need several signings across the board and have more important priorities. A right-winger, please?

Bobby Mallon 3 Posted 29/07/2025 at 19:59:22

Yes they should and do it yesterday please

Neil Thomas 4 Posted 29/07/2025 at 20:04:02

Derek what makes you think it would cause unrest? I’m pretty sure that is the case with all players from all teams. I doubt there’s many players who are on the same wages anyway. Plus you pay for what you get. Grealish is a big name, who would bring much more commercially than anyone else in the team.

Geoff Lambert 5 Posted 29/07/2025 at 20:15:46

All day long, could be a game winner for us. If we get the best of Jack he could transform our attack and we won't look back.

Brian Harrison 6 Posted 29/07/2025 at 20:29:08

Derek 2

As for meting his wage demands with both Doucoure and DCL off the payroll that's about £250,000 per week saved. Also I think that might encourage some that they haven't been able to get over the line to maybe reconsider.

Andrew Clare 7 Posted 29/07/2025 at 20:34:48

Not sure if he is the right fit.If the aim is to build a young hungry for success team would a done it all, won it all, seen it all figure suit?

Conor McCourt 8 Posted 29/07/2025 at 20:55:58

I became aware of Jack as a 17 year old playing for Ireland's underage side and followed his career closely since. Therefore as big as fan I am and was of the player, some who know me would be surprised to hear me say that I don't think I would want him at Everton.

It's not that I am totally opposed to the idea and it wouldn't surprise me if it happened that he would be a catalyst for the rejuvenation of Everton, however in light of recent links and my instinct of what made him great was that fleet footedness and burst of acceleration which I don't think he possesses anymore.

I think he would be a very good player for Everton but not a great player and considering he has never been the most prolific and the costs involved I would prefer to proceed with other links.

I think Jack would be best as a ten and so from what I have been reading about Fofana over the last few days as well as a player in Tyler Dibling who I view to be like the old Jack Grealish (with perhaps more end product) they would be the direction I would go if possible.

They would allow the likes of Ndiaye, Alcatraz and McNeill all to play in their more favoured central position yet still provide cover wide or in McNeills case as a wing back where necessity requires.

If we were to raid City I would much prefer to sign McAtee as I can see him having a really big season wherever he ends up.

9 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:00:29

AndrewYou sound like he would not bother to play.I believe top professional players have ambitions wherever they play. I believe a player like Grealish who has as you say won it all, would consider it a challenge to help a team with Evertons reputation that has languished in the bottom part of the league for more years than is healthy, to get them to the top 10 in the league and if possible win a trophy.

Liam Mogan 10 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:02:29

Not for me. Past his best and as Conor says pace has gone. We've signed too many players too late in their career over the past decade.

Ian Bennett 11 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:07:50

Conor how about Grealish with a Dibbling, Kubo, or Fofana?

Someone with genuine creativity, that can travel with the ball and release an Ndiaye, Fofana etc?

He's not the answer to the pacey right winger requirements, but on a loan for £150k a week would elevate the way we play and attack. It would be the end of the big punt from Pickford and would encourage us to have the ball for more than 30% of the time.

It would also give Alcaraz and Ndiaye genuine competition for places.

Kieran Kinsella 12 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:07:56

We never seem to do well with the old "revive a fading star" routine. Delle Alli, Norman Whiteside etc. People will say "what about Gray and Reid?" well neither man was of the status of Alli, Grealish, Whiteside pre Everton. Even beyond Everton these types who seem to lose their way dramatically for one reason or another in their late 20s, (Harry Kewell, Jesse Lingard, Wilshere, Hargreaves, Brolin, Paulo Futre) seldom enjoy a lasting swansong elsewhere. Usually they just add to the wage bill.

Sam Hoare 13 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:08:32

I’ve said a few times it’s not the move I’d prefer us to make. It depends on the deal but although he’d be one of the better players in the team I’d prefer we focused major resources (and even if City paid 50% his wages would be huge) on younger players on their way to being the next Grealish. Would be more excited about Fofana or Kubo or Dibling.

If he was a right winger with a good history of being available it might be different but it’s not quite the right fit for me. Though a years loan on a decent deal could be fun for both parties.

Michael Allanson 14 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:08:35

i don’t have a problem with Grealish. He’s a very good, experienced pro who will improve the squad and the clubs profile. Trust the club, its manager and new owners not to make the same mistakes of the Moshiri era. They’ve offloaded some high earners and if the financial figures say it works then so be it. Let’s not forget that Grealish was a £100m player and England international not long ago. Compare him to Blomquist and Harrison (both good pros by the way) and let’s celebrate that we are aiming higher. We’re building a squad which is a blend of youth and experience, maybe our fan base needs to be optimistic instead of always looking for negatives.

Ed Prytherch 15 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:13:29

Connor, If Ndyiaye and McNeil are best in the middle then that would leave space for Grealish on the left. It would give Moyes more options.

Kieran - Harry Cane has made a good move at a relatively late age.

Michael Allanson 16 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:21:47

I said Blomquist when I meant Lindstrom Ha ha-always got those two mixed up !

Andy Crooks 17 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:26:17

If we signed Grealish he would be the best player at the club by miles. It would be something to look forward to for a change. Why should supporters fret over his pay? It is beyond our control, so get him in and enjoy it.

Robert Tressell 18 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:26:29

Kieran, it's an interesting point. I think a lot of people can't get excited about a transfer unless they've seen the player perform at the level we aspire to. There's a sort of logic to that. But for as long as I can remember we can only afford that sort of player once they've passed their peak or been broken in some way (injury, drink / drugs or mental health).

I think there's also a bit of keeping up with the Joneses going on too - with a lot of this summer's gnashing of teeth being down to heavy spending by the RS.

Whatever people may claim about a professional's motivation, quite a lot of professional footballers hit a point where they can't really be arsed anymore.

I don't think Grealish has hit that point - and I don't think he's broken either - but he is passed his peak now. And I don't think any clubs with proper money seem interested (other than in Saudi) which kind of undermines the keeping up with the Joneses thing.

That said, if we could do a deal on his astronomical wages and keep him fit - he could be a really interesting loan signing. It would sell shirts too.

Ian Bennett 20 Posted 29/07/2025 at 21:33:01

Think Kevin Campbell was 29 when we signed him on loan.

A real gent of a man, a role model to many and went on to be a captain of Everton, lifting it when it was on its knees.

Some had him as finished when he went to Turkey.