Everton ‘growing in confidence’ over summer transfer for Manchester City star | OneFootball

Everton are growing increasingly confident of securing Jack Grealish’s services on a permanent basis this summer, as per a new report.

The 30-year-old has been on loan at the Hill Dickinson Stadium since last summer but has already seen his season ended prematurely after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture to his left foot sustained in January.

Jack Grealish left Manchester City for Everton on a season-long loan after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola, having played a monumental role in the Blues’ historic treble-winning campaign in 2022-23 before a difficult two seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Grealish is not expected to be re-integrated into Guardiola’s squad upon his return from loan and a permanent exit this summer remains the most likely outcome for the England international, who is under contract at City until 2027.

Report: Everton growing in confidence over Grealish

According to Mail Sport’s Mike Keegan, Everton are ‘growing in confidence’ that Jack Grealish will be back with the club next season, with Hill Dickinson Stadium officials keen to retain the services of the on-loan Manchester City winger.

The Englishman is said to have remained on Merseyside for rehabilitation after suffering a stress fracture to his foot which ended his season prematurely – a decision that those at the club believe to be a ‘hugely positive sign’ when it comes to his future.

However, Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages could be a stumbling block and an option to buy at £50 million is thought to feature in the agreement, although the Toffees could eye a deal in the region of £20 million given his contract would have just 12 months remaining.

Will Manchester City sell Grealish this summer?

City will be keen to get Grealish permanently off their books this summer, with director of football Hugo Viana overseeing a major rebuild of the first-team squad and several senior stars expected to depart ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Blues bought Grealish from Aston Villa for £100 million in 2021 – a British transfer record at the time – and will be looking to recoup a portion of that fee rather than sanction a second successive loan that could result in losing the winger for nothing in 2027.

City’s desperation to reduce their wage bill could, however, work in Everton’s favour when it comes to negotiating a fee below the £50 million option to buy embedded in the existing loan agreement. Guardiola has had no contact with Grealish since his departure from the Etihad Stadium last summer, further underlining that the forward has no future at the club.

Grealish’s injury has also all but ended any lingering hopes of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico – meaning the 30-year-old will have a long summer to weigh up his options before committing to his next move.