In a dramatic twist to the summer transfer window, Everton are poised to intensify their pursuit of Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, a three-time Premier League champion, after Southampton rejected their £50m bid for 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling. The Toffees, under the stewardship of manager David Moyes, are eager to bolster their attacking options as they prepare for a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. With the 2025/26 Premier League season looming, Everton’s shift in focus to the 29-year-old England international signals their ambition to make a statement signing, despite the financial complexities involved in securing a player of Grealish’s stature.
Everton’s initial target was Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, a teenage sensation who dazzled in the Premier League last season despite the Saints’ relegation. The Merseyside club saw the England Under-21 star as a long-term investment, offering £45m upfront with an additional £5m in add-ons and a 25% sell-on clause. However, Southampton, now in the Championship, held firm, unwilling to part with their prized asset unless their valuation was met. Dibling, often compared to a young Jack Grealish for his low socks, dribbling flair, and ability to draw fouls, has also attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, hinting at a potential bidding war. “He has great balance and poise, good power and strength for his age,” a senior player remarked, praising Dibling’s ability to shift the ball away from defenders in a style reminiscent of Grealish’s early days at Aston Villa.
With negotiations for Dibling at an impasse, Everton have pivoted to Grealish, whose future at Manchester City appears increasingly uncertain. The former Aston Villa captain, who joined City for a British-record £100m in 2021, has struggled for consistent game time under Pep Guardiola, starting just seven Premier League matches last season. His omission from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad in June 2025 was a clear signal that his time at the Etihad may be nearing its end. Despite his limited minutes, Grealish’s creativity remains undeniable, with three goals and five assists in 32 appearances across all competitions last term. “It’s nothing personal with Jack,” Guardiola said after leaving him out of a crucial match against Fulham. “I’m the one who said I want Jack Grealish.” Yet, with new signings like Tijjani Reijnders and links to playmaker Rayan Cherki, City’s squad evolution has left Grealish on the periphery.
Everton see an opportunity to capitalize on Grealish’s availability, with Moyes reportedly a long-time admirer of the winger’s unique ability to control the ball and create space. “I’ve never seen a player receive a ball and make himself an extra yard in the way that he just controls it,” said Keith Wyness, former Everton CEO, who believes Moyes could unlock Grealish’s potential by granting him the creative freedom he lacked in Guardiola’s rigid system. A loan deal is Everton’s preferred route, as Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages pose a significant hurdle for a permanent transfer. The Toffees are banking on Grealish’s desire to stay in the north, close to his Cheshire home, where he recently welcomed his first child with partner Sasha Attwood. “I love City more than anything,” Grealish told a fan at an Oasis concert in Manchester, but his hunger for regular minutes to secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel could drive him to Merseyside.
The potential move is not without competition. West Ham and Napoli have also been linked with Grealish, with the latter offering a chance to reunite with former City teammate Kevin De Bruyne in a less intense Serie A environment. However, Everton’s new ownership and Moyes’ vision of building a team around Grealish’s playmaking ability could make the Hill Dickinson Stadium an appealing destination. “He’s a unique player, but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes,” Tuchel noted, casting doubt on Grealish’s international future unless his club situation changes. A move to Everton could provide the platform Grealish needs to rediscover the form that made him a fan favorite at Villa, where he scored 32 goals in 213 appearances.
Everton’s transfer strategy this summer has been ambitious yet pragmatic, with signings like Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27m and young left-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich. However, the departure of key players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure has left gaps in the squad, prompting Moyes to seek high-caliber reinforcements. “We’re running out of time to sign players,” Moyes admitted, underscoring the urgency to finalize deals before the window closes. While Dibling represented a bet on youth, Grealish offers proven quality and leadership, qualities that could elevate Everton’s attacking play and help them push for a top-10 finish.
As the transfer saga unfolds, Grealish stands at a career crossroads. A move to Everton could offer the fresh start he craves, allowing him to showcase his dribbling prowess and progressive passing in a system tailored to his strengths. For Everton fans, the prospect of a Champions League winner donning the blue jersey is a tantalizing one, signaling a new chapter for a club eager to reclaim its place among the Premier League’s elite. Whether the Toffees can navigate the financial complexities and outmaneuver rival suitors remains to be seen, but their pursuit of Grealish is a bold declaration of intent.
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