- Everton look to keep Jack Grealish this summer
- Former Toffee believes deal could be too costly
- Everton may need to break their transfer record
Everton loanee Jack Grealish has really made a mark on Merseyside after impressing under Blues boss David Moyes.
The Scottish manager will be hoping they can secure the £50 million buy clause included in the loan, but former Toffee striker Andy Gray believes Manchester City must play their part in the deal.
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, the 70-year-old believes City won’t get the fee they are asking for.
“If we take away the football, the kids love him. They want a shirt with his name on the back. He’s massive like that. Jack’s problem is his age. He’s 30 years of age, and City are not getting £50 million from anyone. Not a chance.”
Everton revival for Grealish
When Grealish was at Aston Villa, he was one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League. Whether it was his finishing or creativity, he was a nightmare for fullbacks.
He earned a move to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, which made him the most expensive British signing of all time, as he cost £100 million.
Unfortunately for Grealish, things never really clicked under the Spanish manager, and with investment in wide areas with the introduction of players like Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Jeremy Doku, his minutes have dwindled.
He had a chance to find his form on loan at the Toffees, and he’s achieved this with eight goal contributions in 20 league outings.
There remains a chance for the 30-year-old to move to Hill Dickinson on a permanent deal this summer, but Gray believes it might not be an easy move to make.
“I think if they insist on £50m, then he’ll be back at Man City. I would hope he’s not, but as I say, that will be down to them.”
Grealish is set to return from his injury in the summer, where he will make a huge decision regarding his career.
Toffees set for a battle
The left winger has been out of favour at City for many years now, and the January signing of Antoine Semenyo causes further issues if he were to return to the Etihad.
The only suggestion that he could stay is if Guardiola is to leave, with rumours circulating that he may in 2027, but with the amount of talent the Cityzens have out wide, it will be a difficult task.
Everton and their supporters would love to have him return to Merseyside on a permanent deal this summer, as he has been a key player in ensuring they aren’t embroiled in a relegation battle.
Grealish and fellow teammate Iliman Ndiaye have caused plenty of problems for opposition defenders this season, becoming a major reason for the club’s relative success.
The Blues’ current record transfer goes back to 2017 when they signed Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea for £45 million.
While the club certainly has money, as they showed last summer, the idea of using a large part of it on one player may not align with Moyes’ plans to continue building a balanced squad.
