Grealish’s Everton return hangs in the balance again as City saga takes another turn

Everton’s hopes of re-signing Jack Grealish have swung back and forth all summer, and the latest twist favours Man City.

New City boss Enzo Maresca has told the club he wants to personally assess Grealish during pre-season before any decision is made on his future, according to TEAMtalk — rather than sanctioning the departure that had, until recently, looked close to a formality.

It is the latest reversal in a saga that has rarely settled for long. When Guardiola’s exit was first confirmed, the assumption inside Finch Farm was that City would be willing sellers, with Grealish’s future at the Etihad seemingly over after he fell out of favour under the Spaniard.

Maresca’s appointment complicated that picture, and now, rather than waving him through, the Italian wants to run the rule over a player he worked closely with as Guardiola’s assistant during City’s 2022-23 treble season.

Grealish’s own position has not shifted in the same way. Despite the lifeline being offered to him, he is reported to remain firmly set on a permanent move to Everton, having rebuilt his reputation last season with two goals and six assists before a broken foot ended his campaign in January.

For now, that, on the face of it, leaves two competing sides pulling in opposite directions. City are not ruling out a sale if the right offer arrives, with Grealish entering the final year of his contract, but a final decision is not expected until late in the window — meaning Everton, once again, are left waiting on someone else’s wishes.

Annoying, right?