In a transfer coup that has electrified Merseyside, Everton have secured a season-long loan deal for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, finalized on August 12, 2025, just days before the Premier League kicks off. The 29-year-old England international, once the cornerstone of City’s historic 2022-23 Treble, has seen his star fade under Pep Guardiola, prompting a bold move to Goodison Park’s successor, the Hill Dickinson Stadium. With an option to buy for £50m next summer, this deal marks a pivotal moment for Grealish, who is hungry to rediscover the flair that made him a £100m record-breaker and to reclaim his place in England’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” Grealish told evertontv after his medical. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.”
Grealish’s journey to Everton reflects a career at a crossroads. After joining Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British-record £100m, he played a starring role in their Treble-winning campaign, starting every Champions League knockout tie and the FA Cup final. But the past two seasons have been a struggle, with just seven Premier League starts in 2024-25 and a mere one goal and one assist. Omitted from City’s Club World Cup squad and left on the bench for their FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, Grealish found himself behind Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho in Guardiola’s pecking order. “I’m the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season,” Guardiola said earlier this year, but his lack of minutes told a different story. Grealish’s exclusion from England’s 2024 European Championship squad left him “heartbroken,” fueling his determination to prove himself.
Everton manager David Moyes, back for his second stint, sees Grealish as the creative spark his squad needs. “I think 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,” Moyes said, envisioning Grealish as a central No. 10 rather than a left winger, where Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil hold sway. This tactical shift could unlock the maverick flair Grealish displayed at Villa, where he scored twice and assisted three times in a 7-2 rout of Liverpool in 2020. Moyes’ 4-2-3-1 formation, used in 11 of 19 matches last season, offers Grealish the freedom to dictate play, a role he relished in his Villa days when he was a “free-spirited maverick” who helped secure promotion and Premier League stability.
The financial logistics of the deal were no small feat. Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages posed a challenge, but he made significant sacrifices to facilitate the move, with Everton covering over £12m in fees and a portion of his salary. “He’s gone above and beyond to make the deal happen,” a club insider noted, highlighting Grealish’s commitment. Interest from Napoli and Atlético Madrid surfaced earlier, but Grealish prioritized staying in the Premier League to boost his chances with England under Thomas Tuchel, who has shown a willingness to select out-of-favor players like Marcus Rashford. Grealish’s choice of the No. 18 shirt, inspired by idols Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, adds a personal touch. “I spoke to Wayne before I came here and mentioned the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well,” he said with a grin.
Everton’s sixth signing of the summer, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and others, Grealish is a marquee addition for a club that finished 13th last season but struggled offensively despite a stout defense. Failed bids for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Aston Villa’s John McGinn underscored their need for attacking flair, making Grealish’s arrival a game-changer. His potential debut against Leeds United on August 18, live on Monday Night Football, has fans buzzing, with social media flooded with messages of support. “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so that’s another reason why I chose Everton,” Grealish said, eager to repay their faith.
As Everton prepare for a new era at their 52,769-capacity stadium, Grealish’s loan could define their season. His ability to draw fouls, carry the ball, and unlock defenses could transform a side craving a catalyst. With the World Cup on the horizon, the ball is in Grealish’s court to revive the magic that once made him England’s most expensive player.
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