Not happening:
Everton have strengthened their interest in Manchester City outcast Jack Grealish in the hope that he will grasp the chance to revive his stalled career under David Moyes.
Grealish has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium after falling out of favour with head coach Pep Guardiola and Everton have been monitoring his situation throughout the summer with a view to sealing a loan deal.
Further conversations have now taken place between the clubs as Everton look to establish the parameters by which an agreement can be brokered.
Initial inquiries have gleaned that City are seeking to recoup as much of Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wage as possible, which could amount to a financial commitment of at least £12million. That has not served to dissuade Everton and talks have continued in the belief the player is willing to move.
Grealish, who turns 30 next month, needs to play regularly to advance his claims to break into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad before next summer’s World Cup and would have an opportunity to do so under Moyes.
In return, he can offer Everton a gear change in their attacking intent should he be able to recapture the form that was influential in City’s Treble success in winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the 2022-23 season.
Everton have made five signings, but there has been frustration in their pursuit of Tyler Dibling, the Southampton winger who was left out of the squad for their 2-1 victory over Wrexham in the Championship on Saturday.
Everton have had three separate bids rejected for the 19-year-old, the last of which was about £37million including add-ons, and there remains a huge discrepancy between the two clubs’ valuations. Southampton’s counterproposal was £45million, plus £5million as well as a 25 per cent sell-on clause.
Dibling is keen to move but it would require Southampton to significantly revise their demands for any progress to be made. In the meantime, Everton are exploring other options, with strengthening the right flank having been a priority all summer.