---
title: "Grealish’s Everton return hangs in the balance again as City saga takes another turn"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-jack-grealish-transfer-saga-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-07-08T06:31:11Z"
modified: "2026-07-08T06:31:21Z"
---

# 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](https://readeverton.com/jack-grealish-to-everton-every-twist-in-the-transfer-saga-explained/) 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](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/enzo-maresca-manchester-city-manager-63918331) 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](https://readeverton.com/), once again, are left waiting on someone else’s wishes.

Annoying, right?