As Everton prepare to usher in a new era at their state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025-26 Premier League season, the Toffees are making waves in the transfer market. On June 8, 2025, the football world was stunned by reports that Everton have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, a move that could redefine the club’s ambitions. Under the stewardship of their new owners, the Friedkin Group, Everton are eyeing the 29-year-old England international as a marquee signing to mark their historic relocation from Goodison Park. With Grealish’s future at City uncertain, this potential transfer represents a statement of intent for a club eager to compete at the highest level.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City has been a tale of glittering trophies and unfulfilled potential. Since his £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, he’s helped secure three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, but consistent starts have eluded him. Limited to just seven Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season, Grealish has been overshadowed by the likes of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden. “It’s not easy when you’re not playing as much as you’d like,” Grealish admitted earlier this year, hinting at his desire for a fresh start. His exclusion from City’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup has further fueled speculation, with his representatives given the green light to explore options.
Everton’s interest is a bold move, driven by the Friedkin Group’s vision to elevate the club. The American consortium, which finalized its takeover in late 2024, sees Grealish as the perfect catalyst for their new chapter at the 52,888-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium, set to open in August 2025. “Bringing the England international to Bramley-Moore Dock would be seen as a serious statement of intent,” an insider noted, emphasizing the symbolic weight of the signing. However, Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages pose a significant hurdle, with a loan deal the most likely option due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. Everton would need City to subsidize a portion of his salary, a complex negotiation given the Toffees’ financial constraints.
Manager David Moyes, who returned to Everton in January 2025, is a long-time admirer of Grealish. In 2021, while at West Ham, Moyes praised him as “probably the best player in the Premier League at this time,” captivated by his dribbling and creativity. Grealish’s elite playmaking—ranking in the top 1% for progressive carries and top 8% for shot-creating actions among European peers—could transform Everton’s attack, which has relied heavily on set pieces and the unpredictability of Iliman Ndiaye. “He would be like the marquee signing,” pundit Perry Groves said on talkSPORT, suggesting Grealish could thrive as the focal point at Everton’s new stadium.
The move has sparked debate among fans. An online poll showed 42% of Everton supporters backing the signing, while 58% expressed skepticism, wary of echoes of Farhad Moshiri’s costly past spending. “Mad how people who’ve watched the dross we’ve had would turn their nose up at Grealish,” one fan posted online, envisioning him dazzling a packed Hill Dickinson Stadium. Others question his fit, citing his reduced output at City. Respected journalist Alan Myers tempered expectations, saying, “I doubt it, to be honest, but you never say never in football.”
Newcastle United have also entered the race, with Eddie Howe considering a loan deal, especially if Anthony Gordon departs. Napoli, Inter Milan, and Tottenham are monitoring the situation, but Everton’s proximity to Manchester and Moyes’ track record of reviving talents like Tim Cahill and Jarrod Bowen make Merseyside appealing. For Grealish, regular minutes are crucial to reclaiming his England spot for the 2026 World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel warning he must “play matches every three days.”
The Hill Dickinson Stadium, named in a multimillion-pound deal with the Liverpool law firm, is more than a new home—it’s a £1.3 billion economic catalyst, promising 15,000 jobs and 1.4 million annual visitors. A signing of Grealish’s stature would amplify its debut, signaling Everton’s intent to rise above mid-table mediocrity. As Moyes builds for a top-half finish, Grealish’s flair could be the spark to ignite a new era. “I just want to play football and enjoy it,” Grealish said recently, a sentiment that could find resonance in the passionate roar of Everton’s faithful.
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