- Grealish’s Everton future has generated fresh speculation every week since May
- Reports have ranged from Everton confidence to Manchester City uncertainty
- Multiple journalists and outlets have offered contrasting updates on the deal
If you’ve lost track of the Jack Grealish-to-Everton-permanently saga, don’t worry.
There is a decent chance most Evertonians are feeling exactly the same.
Since the start of May, the story has produced enough twists, contradictions and fresh developments to fill an entire transfer window on its own. One report suggests a permanent move is gathering momentum. The next claims Manchester City could have second thoughts. Then another emerges insisting David Moyes remains keen.
So, in the interests of helping Everton supporters keep up, Read Everton has gone back through the story from the beginning.
May 3: The first signs the story was not going away
One of the earliest indications came when former Premier League scout Mick Brown of Football Insider, suggested Everton remained interested in keeping Grealish despite concerns surrounding injuries and finances.
At that point, the idea of a permanent deal felt ambitious, but importantly it was no longer being dismissed outright.
For Everton supporters, it was the first sign that Grealish’s future could become one of the major talking points of the summer.
May 11: The £50m obstacle emerges
The next significant development came when it was reported that Everton were unlikely to activate the reported £50m purchase option attached to Grealish’s loan agreement.
That, of course, did not mean a deal was dead.
Instead, it suggested Everton’s preference would be to negotiate alternative terms with Manchester City rather than walk away entirely.
For supporters, this was the first reminder that money would probably decide everything.
May 18: Moyes’ influence becomes part of the story
As the month progressed, several Everton-focused outlets began reporting that David Moyes was enthusiastic about the possibility of retaining Grealish.
That mattered because the conversation shifted from whether Everton could afford him to whether the manager genuinely wanted him as part of his long-term plans.
The answer increasingly appeared to be yes.
After helping Everton secure a comfortable Premier League campaign, Moyes reportedly viewed Grealish as someone capable of adding creativity and experience to his squad moving forward.
May 27: Manchester City complicate matters
Just when optimism was beginning to build, Football Insider reported that incoming Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca wanted talks with Grealish before any final decision was made.
That represented the biggest twist of the saga.
Up until then, the assumption had largely been that City would be willing sellers.
Now there was uncertainty.
Everton’s hopes suddenly depended not only on finances, but on what City’s new manager thought about the player.
Late May: Fabrizio Romano adds caution
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano also suggested Manchester City had not reached a final decision on Grealish’s future.
While not shutting the door on Everton, Romano’s updates reinforced the idea that City remained the key decision-makers in the process.
For Evertonians hoping for a quick resolution, it was not the news they wanted to hear.
The story had gone from seemingly straightforward to increasingly complicated.
Early June: Grealish wants to stay?
Fresh reports from The Hard Tackle then added another layer to the story.
The outlet claimed Grealish would be open to remaining at Everton after enjoying his football again under Moyes.
That was perhaps the most encouraging update supporters had received.
After all, transfer negotiations become considerably easier when the player himself wants the move.
For the first time, Everton fans could realistically start imagining a scenario in which all parties wanted the same outcome.
June 7: The Finch Farm talking point
Then came the social-media Insta detectives.
Supporters noticed reports and images suggesting Grealish had been training at Finch Farm despite his long-term future remaining unresolved.
Whether it meant anything significant was open to interpretation.
Predictably, it generated another wave of speculation.
Some viewed it as evidence he remained committed to Everton. Others saw it simply as a practical solution while discussions continued behind the scenes.
Either way, it ensured the story stayed firmly in the headlines.
So where does the saga stand today?
And that brings us to June 2026.
Mick Brown says Everton remain interested.
Goodison News reported the finances remain difficult.
Football Insider highlighted Manchester City’s uncertainty.
Fabrizio Romano has suggested no final decision has been made.
The Hard Tackle reported Grealish would be open to staying.
Meanwhile, Everton supporters continue trying to work out what happens next.
The truth is that every major twist in the saga points towards the same conclusion.
Everton want Grealish.
Grealish appears happy at Everton.
The question is whether Manchester City and the financial realities of the deal allow it to happen.
After more than a month of rumours, updates, reversals and fresh speculation, that remains the one part of the story nobody can answer with complete certainty.
Which is exactly why the saga refuses to go away. Don’t hold your breath, Evertonians … but keep those fingers crossed.
