Jack Grealish, once the poster boy of Manchester City’s record-breaking £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, finds himself at a crossroads as the 2025 summer transfer window heats up. The 29-year-old England international, whose flair and creativity lit up the Etihad during City’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, has seen his role diminish under Pep Guardiola, prompting speculation about his future. Everton, under the ambitious leadership of David Moyes and new owners The Friedkin Group, have emerged as frontrunners to secure Grealish on a season-long loan, but Manchester City’s stringent condition—that any loaning club cover his entire £300,000-a-week salary—has cast a shadow over the deal. With Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli, and even a potential return to Aston Villa in the mix, Grealish’s next move is a high-stakes saga that could reshape his career and England aspirations.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City has been a tale of highs and lows. After joining for a club-record fee, he played a pivotal role in the 2022-23 season, starting every knockout match en route to City’s first Champions League title and featuring in 50 matches across all competitions. “I’m the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season,” Guardiola said, defending his decision to back Grealish despite his reduced role in recent years. However, the 2024-25 season saw Grealish relegated to the fringes, with just seven Premier League starts and 20 appearances, yielding one goal and one assist. He was an unused substitute in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and omitted from the squad for their final match against Fulham, a decision Guardiola insisted was “nothing personal.” The arrival of 21-year-old French midfielder Rayan Cherki and competition from Phil Foden, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva have further diminished Grealish’s prospects, leading him to acknowledge that his time at the Etihad is likely over.
Everton’s interest offers a lifeline. The Toffees, fresh off a 13th-place finish in 2024-25 and their move to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, see Grealish as a potential talisman to bolster their attack, which ranked fourth-lowest in Premier League goals last season. Moyes, a long-time admirer, believes he can unlock Grealish’s best form, a sentiment echoed by reports that the player is “excited” about the prospect of joining a club where he could be the centerpiece of a passionate fanbase. “Everton’s one of the biggest clubs in the country, and I think that in the next couple of years, the future is going to be bright,” said Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Everton’s recent £25 million signing from Chelsea, reflecting the club’s optimism. Everton’s transfer activity, including signings like Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, and Adam Aznou, signals their ambition, but Grealish’s £300,000 weekly wages—equivalent to $400,000—pose a significant hurdle. The club initially proposed covering part of his salary, but City’s demand for full wage coverage has complicated negotiations, with no guarantees the deal will materialize.
Other clubs are circling. Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli have been linked, while West Ham and Aston Villa, where Grealish captained before his City move, have also shown interest. A return to Villa Park would be a romantic homecoming, but Villa’s focus on other targets and their inability to offer Champions League football make Everton a more likely destination. Napoli, the Serie A champions, present an intriguing option with their title defense and European campaign, but Grealish’s preference to stay in England’s northwest, close to his Manchester home, gives Everton an edge. Reports suggest Everton are willing to pay a “substantial” loan fee, potentially around £10 million, to sweeten the deal, but City’s insistence on full salary coverage remains a sticking point. Grealish, who turned down an offer from Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, is reportedly training with a personal coach to ensure peak condition, driven by a desire to reclaim his spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup after missing Euro 2024.
The financial complexities reflect broader challenges in Grealish’s situation. With two years left on his contract until 2027, City value him at £40-60 million for a permanent transfer, but his high wages and recent lack of impact make a loan more feasible. Everton’s failed £40 million bid for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling underscores their ambition but also their budget constraints, making a subsidized deal critical. As negotiations continue, Grealish’s future hangs in the balance, with Everton’s vision of him as a creative force under Moyes clashing with City’s hardline stance. For a player who thrives as a “star” attacker, as one analyst noted, Everton could offer the platform to revive his career, but only if the financial puzzle can be solved.
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