Everton confident of cut-price Jack Grealish deal despite £50m option

Everton officials say they are optimistic they can secure Jack Grealish on a permanent deal for less than the £50 million option included in his season-long loan from Manchester City.

The 30-year-old moved to Goodison Park in the summer after falling out of favour at City and being left out of the squad for the Club World Cup while his future was resolved. Everton believe Grealish’s contract situation — he will have one year remaining on his Manchester City deal at the end of the season — gives them leverage to negotiate a reduced fee.

Grealish has made an immediate impact for Everton, contributing four assists in his first two appearances and quickly becoming a fan favourite at the club’s new stadium. The forward was also named Premier League player of the month early in the campaign, an accolade presented to him by team-mate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Everton sources told media outlets that Grealish accepted financial concessions to facilitate the loan move, relinquishing some pay from his reported Manchester City salary in order to join David Moyes’s squad. Moyes persuaded the player that Everton could provide the platform to regain form and push for international selection.

Manchester City inserted a £50 million option into the loan agreement, but Everton officials say the figure is not fixed and that talks over a permanent transfer would begin from next summer. Club officials point to Grealish’s reduced time in the City first team last season — where he made seven league starts — and the limited length of his remaining contract as factors that could produce a lower transfer fee.

Grealish’s move across Merseyside avoided a cross-country relocation for his young family, an element that Everton cited as important to the player’s decision to join the club on loan.

During his time at Manchester City, Grealish won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup, and was part of City’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign as well as the club’s 2023 UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup squads. After a spell on the periphery of Pep Guardiola’s side, his early performances for Everton have renewed discussion over his longer-term future.

The forward was not included in the most recent international squad, but his return to form at club level has been framed by Everton and pundits as a bid to regain a place in national-team consideration.

Everton’s stated priorities for the coming months include stabilising their squad and converting successful loan signings into permanent players where possible. Negotiations with Manchester City over Grealish’s future will depend on the player’s form, his contract status next summer and the willingness of the two clubs to reach a compromise on a transfer fee.

If a deal is pursued, Everton would aim to conclude terms early in the transfer window after the season, though both clubs have made no formal announcement on any permanent transfer discussions. Until then, Grealish remains at Everton on loan and will continue to be measured by his on-field contributions for the Toffees.