Fabrizio Romano shares the exact percentage chance of Everton signing Jack Grealish from Man City
Right now, there’s one name dominating the conversation among Everton supporters – Jack Grealish. The former Aston Villa star, now on the fringes at Manchester City, is being heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park. While still in the realm of speculation, this is a transfer story that certainly has momentum and could become one of the biggest sagas of the summer.
Grealish’s £100 million switch to Manchester City in 2021 was one of the most high-profile deals in Premier League history. However, three years on, it’s become increasingly clear that the move hasn’t panned out the way many expected. Despite moments of brilliance, Grealish has struggled to cement a consistent place in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI, and with fresh signings on the horizon – including a possible deal for Lyon star Rayan Cherki – the writing may be on the wall for the England international.
That has opened the door to a potential exit, and Everton have emerged as a surprising but serious contender to land his signature. Although it remains far from a done deal, the idea of Grealish in an Everton shirt is no longer considered far-fetched. According to reports, it’s now “plausible” that the 29-year-old could end up on Merseyside before the summer window closes.
However, turning this ambitious idea into a reality will require more than just hope. The Friedkin Group, Everton’s new ownership consortium, will need to navigate complex financial and strategic considerations to make a deal work. Grealish is on a reported £300,000 per week at City – a wage structure far beyond Everton’s current capabilities – and that remains the biggest hurdle to overcome.
Speaking to DAZN, respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided a detailed update on the situation. While he confirmed that Everton’s interest is genuine, he also tempered expectations.
“Grealish is likely to leave this summer, with Everton as a possible destination, though negotiations are not advanced,” Romano said. “His high £300,000 weekly wage makes a loan deal likely, with City possibly covering part of it. Everton is interested, but no deal is confirmed; I give it a 35% chance. Other clubs like West Ham and Newcastle are also in the race, complicating the transfer.”
Romano’s insight paints a realistic picture: Everton are certainly in the running, but they’re not alone, and there’s still a long way to go. West Ham United and Newcastle United – both of whom could offer competitive wages and potential European football – are also monitoring Grealish’s availability, and could yet swoop in with more attractive packages.
Still, a loan move appears to be the most viable solution at this stage. City may be willing to subsidise part of Grealish’s wages to ensure a temporary deal goes through, especially if it helps facilitate other squad changes. While Guardiola is believed to prefer permanent outgoings this summer, Grealish’s hefty salary makes it difficult for any club – even those in the Premier League – to commit to a full transfer right away.
That, however, may work in Everton’s favour. Manager David Moyes is reportedly eager to bring the winger in and believes he can rejuvenate the player’s career. A loan would allow the Toffees to test the waters without committing to a long-term financial gamble, and if Grealish rediscovers his best form under Moyes’ guidance, a permanent deal could be explored in the future.
It’s worth noting that Everton’s transfer budget this summer is believed to be limited – possibly around £50 million – so any move for Grealish would require careful financial engineering. The Friedkin Group, still early in their stewardship of the club, are keen to operate sustainably, but also want to make a strong statement of intent. Signing a player of Grealish’s calibre – even on loan – would do exactly that.
For Grealish, Everton could offer a fresh start, regular minutes, and a chance to rebuild his reputation ahead of the next major international tournament. At 29, he’s entering a critical stage in his career, and the opportunity to become the focal point of a historic club like Everton might be exactly what he needs.
While plenty of hurdles remain, this is a story to watch closely. The coming weeks will reveal whether Everton can pull off one of the most surprising coups of the summer – or whether another Premier League rival swoops in to secure Grealish’s services first.