Jack Grealish represents the biggest name in what could become a transformative transfer window for Everton. The 29-year-old Champions League winner would raise the pedigree of David Moyes' attacking options if he joins the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
His potential arrival could capitalise on momentum gathered through last week's addition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and supporters' first glimpse of the new stadium against Roma. The move could also provide a major boost to the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.
Moyes has made no secret of the difficulties in revolutionising Everton's squad after numerous departures this summer. The hope was that players would see the potential in the Everton project, yet belief in better days ahead has not yet reached the wider football world.
Transfer market catalyst potential
Earlier this summer, Everton struggled to tempt targets like Liam Delap, Kenny Tete and Malick Fofana to join their regeneration project. A Grealish signing would wake many to the club's new-found ambition and could spur previously hesitant targets to reconsider Merseyside.
The club has insisted throughout summer that it will not fill gaps for the sake of it, wanting new signings to meet a quality threshold for sustainable progress. A multi-million pound loan deal for Grealish would represent the height of excess seen so far.
This deal would carry risk and only makes sense if built upon by further work. Everton particularly needs specialist options on the right, where lack of cover in attack and defence has left the side unbalanced through pre-season.
Tactical integration questions
The benefits Grealish could provide would be undermined if Everton continues using makeshift solutions at right-back and right wing. Positioning questions arise given that Dewsbury-Hall is left-footed and took the advanced central midfield role against Roma, while Iliman Ndiaye operates most effectively from the left wing.
These would represent pleasant problems for Moyes to solve after Everton's struggles. The club ended 2024 in relegation trouble, failing to register a shot on target until the 82nd minute in their home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Eight months later, Everton could potentially field Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall together, with players like Carlos Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil providing bench options. The transformation would reflect both new ownership's ambition and Moyes's ability to attract quality players.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
