Everton Risk Losing £25m-Rated Player Due To U-Turn: Setback For David Moyes? | OneFootball

Jack Grealish is set to hold career talks with incoming Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca following his season-long loan spell at Everton, and those conversations could have serious consequences for David Moyes’s summer plans. According to the Mirror, Maresca believes Grealish could become part of Man City’s future, with the 30-year-old expected to return to the Etihad Campus this summer unless he is told otherwise. The report, published on 26 May, signals a notable shift in circumstances that Everton had been quietly optimistic about resolving in their favour.

Everton’s interest in Grealish is blocked

Turning Grealish’s temporary stay into a permanent arrangement had been a priority for Hill Dickinson Stadium officials, who were hopeful of signing him for less than the £50 million option-to-buy clause written into the original loan agreement. Fresh negotiations over the fee were understood to be planned, with The Athletic reporting that Everton remained confident of getting a deal done.

That confidence now looks fragile. Manchester City informed Grealish he was free to find his next club, a situation that initially worked in Everton’s favour. The arrival of Maresca changes that calculation entirely.

Maresca worked with Grealish during their shared year at Manchester City, and footage emerged in December of the pair sharing a warm embrace after Chelsea faced Everton at Stamford Bridge, suggesting the relationship between the two remains strong.

Grealish currently carries a market value of approximately €25m and earns a reported £300,000 per week, a wage bill that has always complicated Everton’s ability to make the deal permanent. He scored twice and registered six assists in 20 Premier League appearances before a stress fracture in his foot ended his season, requiring surgery.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Jack Grealish, on loan to Everton, brings out the 2023 UEFA Super Cup trophy during the After Party Celebration to mark the achievements of Manchester City men’s, women’s and academy teams during the 25/26 season at The Co-op Live Arena on May 25, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

This is not a catastrophic blow, but it is far from a minor inconvenience either. Grealish gave Everton something genuinely difficult to replace. He provided the creative unpredictability in wide areas, combined with the experience of a player who has operated at the very highest level. The injury disrupted the momentum of his season, yet the underlying numbers, six assists, a Sofascore rating of 7.23, and five big chances created, told the story of a player who had clearly rediscovered himself under Moyes.

The financial picture in L4 remains tight, and Everton were never going to meet the full £50 million asking price. The Toffees were increasingly confident of retaining Grealish either on another loan or for a cut-price fee, and he himself remained open to staying.

Maresca’s interest now reintroduces City as a genuine obstacle rather than an easy negotiating partner. If Grealish returns to the Etihad under a manager who values him, Everton lose the argument before it even starts. Moyes will need to act swiftly and identify alternatives, because banking on a situation that has just shifted significantly would be a costly mistake.