Jack Grealish’s move to Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City, finalized on August 12, 2025, has ignited excitement among Toffees fans and raised intriguing questions about his long-term future. The 29-year-old England international, once the British record transfer at £100 million, is set to don Everton’s No. 18 shirt, a nod to his idols Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, as he aims to revive his career at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium. While the deal includes a £50 million option to buy next summer, recent reports suggest Everton could secure a permanent transfer for significantly less, given Grealish’s contract situation and diminished role at City. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly,” Grealish told Everton’s media team. “This is a great club, with great fans. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.”
Grealish’s journey to Merseyside comes after a challenging spell at Manchester City, where he made just seven Premier League starts last season and was omitted from the Club World Cup squad. His marginalization under Pep Guardiola, who favored players like Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho, prompted the loan move, with Everton covering approximately 75% of Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages, totaling around £11 million for the season. The deal, which includes no obligation to buy, positions Everton to negotiate a lower fee in 2026, as Grealish’s contract with City enters its final year, potentially dropping his value to around £21 million on City’s books. “We’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to,” said Everton manager David Moyes, who sees Grealish as a marquee signing to inject creativity into a squad that finished 13th last season.
The move represents a fresh start for Grealish, who was “heartbroken” after being left out of England’s 2024 European Championship squad. With the 2026 World Cup looming, he is desperate to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel, who has shown a willingness to select out-of-favor players like Marcus Rashford. “I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that,” Moyes added, emphasizing the platform Everton offers. Grealish’s choice of the No. 18 shirt carries personal significance: “There were other numbers, but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, and I know they both wore number 18 here.” His enthusiasm was echoed by fans, with Grealish noting, “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.”
The financial dynamics of the deal add intrigue. Grealish made significant sacrifices, reportedly forgoing a portion of his wages to facilitate the loan, a move described as going “above and beyond” by Everton insiders. This flexibility could pave the way for a permanent transfer below the £50 million option, especially if Everton’s new owners, The Friedkin Group, continue their ambitious spending. The club’s summer signings, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, and Thierno Barry, signal a new era, but Grealish’s arrival addresses a critical need for a game-changer in attack, despite the squad’s imbalance on the left wing, where Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil already excel. Moyes may deploy Grealish as a No. 10, a role that could see him compete with Alcaraz or Ndiaye, requiring him to adapt to Moyes’ demand for defensive work.
Grealish’s move snubbed interest from Napoli and Atletico Madrid, reflecting his commitment to staying in the Premier League. His time at City, highlighted by a starring role in their 2022-23 Treble-winning season with 50 appearances, five goals, and 11 assists, contrasts sharply with his recent struggles, where he started just one league game in 2025. “For Everton, they are getting an £100m player on loan. It’s phenomenal,” a pundit remarked, predicting a return to the flair Grealish displayed at Aston Villa, where he captained the side to promotion in 2019. As he prepares for a potential debut against Leeds United on August 18, Grealish’s mission is clear: recapture his form, win back his England spot, and prove that Everton’s gamble could yield a bargain that redefines their future.
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