Jack Grealish arrives at Everton as a big name with something to prove. After two quiet seasons at Manchester City, the 29-year-old has joined on a season-long loan that will cost the club more than $15 million in wages and fees, with a $64 million option to buy next summer. He also chose No. 18, a nod to Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, a small gesture that makes a big impression on Merseyside.
The move follows a glittering but inconsistent spell at City. Signed from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British-record fee of around $135 million, Grealish collected two Premier League titles and a Champions League medal but never fully secured a regular starting role. Last season, he started just one league match and was left out of both City’s Club World Cup squad and England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
For City, the loan clears wages and frees up squad space. For Grealish, it’s a lifeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup. For Everton, it’s a statement of ambition and a calculated risk.
How he fits under Moyes
David Moyes, back for a second stint at Everton, has long admired Grealish. The manager believes the playmaker can operate centrally as a No. 10, linking midfield and attack in a 4-2-3-1. That setup would allow Dwight McNeil to stay wide on the left and give new signing Iliman Ndiaye freedom on the right. In a 4-3-3, Grealish could start on the left and drift into central pockets, with license to roam and combine.
“I think we’re getting him at a good time… we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to,” Moyes said. “We’ll provide a platform for him to show the best version of himself.”
Fans have already joked about the numbers, including one quip that “that’s £50m off per person if you’re a family of four,” but the financial stakes are real. Everton’s one-year outlay will exceed $15 million in wages and fees. The optional $64 million buy clause would only apply if triggered next summer, giving the club flexibility under Financial Fair Play rules.
The Friedkin Group’s takeover in late 2024 and the opening of Hill Dickinson Stadium have given Everton new financial muscle. Higher matchday revenue and fresh sponsorship deals mean the club can take on a big-ticket loan, even after bringing in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for a reported $36 million and several other additions across the squad.
At Aston Villa, Grealish was the heartbeat, producing 15 goals and 17 assists in 96 Premier League games while captaining the club to survival and stability. At City, he was part of history but often in a supporting role, with 11 goals and 12 assists in 94 league appearances. Everton’s gamble is that regular starts, a defined role, and the spark of being the main man again will bring him closer to his Villa peak.
Supporters have greeted the move with rare optimism. Even City fans have wished him well, recognizing both his contribution to their treble season and his need for a fresh stage.
It’s a high-stakes move for all sides. If Grealish thrives, Everton could secure a marquee player for their new era. If not, they can walk away next summer having only paid for the gamble. Either way, the Premier League will be watching to see if No. 18 in royal blue can write one more memorable chapter.
