Everton have drawn a hard line in their bid to bring Jack Grealish back to Goodison Park this summer. Sources have told Football Insider the club is only willing to pay between £5-10 million for the 30-year-old winger on a permanent deal - a fraction of Manchester City’s £50m option-to-buy clause from last season’s loan.
The Toffees are insisting Grealish will only return on their terms, with manager David Moyes pushing for proven signings without breaking the bank. Everton currently sit 13th in the Premier League with 49 points from 38 games and a -3 goal difference after losing their last match 1-0 to Tottenham on 24 May 2026.
What’s behind Everton’s Grealish offer?
Everton’s transfer budget has been slashed this window, leaving them unable to meet City’s valuation. Sources say Moyes wants to focus on recruits who can deliver immediately rather than gamble on premium fees. Grealish’s loan stint last season showed flashes - eight goal contributions in 20 Premier League games before injury cut his campaign short.
According to Fotmob data from 11 July 2026, Grealish averaged 0.33 assists, 0.20 xA, 2.10 chances created, and 5.85 duels won per 90 minutes in the Premier League last term. Those numbers suggest he could swing Everton’s fate between Europe and another mid-table finish if he replicates that form.
Why Grealish still matters to Everton
The club’s recent form reads LLDDL, with three straight losses and no wins in five games. With just 36 points behind leaders Arsenal, every point counts. Grealish’s creativity could be the missing piece - his 2025-26 output included 0.28 big chances created per 90, a metric that often decides tight games.
Moyes’ side also faces Stoke City away on 28 July 2026, a fixture that could shape pre-season momentum. The manager’s preference for proven performers aligns with Grealish’s track record, even if the price tag remains a sticking point.
Who else is on Everton’s radar?
Beyond Grealish, Everton have been linked with Tottenham’s Djed Spence. The 25-year-old right-back is currently with England at the 2026 World Cup, but sources say he’s keen to impress new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi in pre-season. That push could complicate Everton’s hopes of landing him before the window slams shut.
With the transfer window heating up, Everton’s next moves will define their 2026-27 outlook. The Grealish saga drags on, but the Toffees’ financial reality keeps their ambitions firmly in check. League standing: 13th in Premier League, 49 pts, 13W-10D-15L from 38 games, recent form LLDDL.
