According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Everton have agreed to re-sign Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish on a season-long loan deal.
The England international spent the previous campaign on loan with the Toffees. He registered two goals and six assists in 22 appearances before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
Sunderland made a loan offer for the 30-year-old earlier last week, and Everton were always Grealish’s first choice, and they have now emerged as the only team to agree to Man City’s terms.
Everton contributed 75 percent of Grealish’s £300,000 per week salary last season (£225,000 weekly) and may have agreed a similar package to secure his services once more.
A medical has been booked today for his return to Merseyside for a second year on loan.
Playing time
Everton recently agreed to sell Beto and Iliman Ndiaye to Fiorentina and Man City respectively. The club are on the cusp of landing Monaco striker Folarin Balogun as a replacement for Beto in the centre-forward role.
They have now decided to land Grealish as a temporary successor for versatile winger Ndiaye. The Englishman had a bright first half to last season with the Toffees with eight goal contributions before an unfortunate setback.
Despite this, David Moyes’ side continued to maintain a keen interest in bringing him back, and it is unsurprising that Grealish has chosen the club amid loan interest from Sunderland, who are playing in the Europa League.
Grealish was an undisputed starter on the left wing for the Toffees last term and generally played through the entire 90 minutes when fully fit. The assurance of guaranteed playing time in the XI may have contributed to his decision to rejoin them.
The former Aston Villa captain is also familiar to the surroundings, having adapted to David Moyes’ playing style last season. Hence, he could seamlessly be drafted straight into the line-up unlike at another club, where he may need several training sessions to understand tactics.
Balogun and Grealish look poised to join the Toffees before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline. It remains to be seen whether the Merseyside outfit pursue another forward player before the summer transfer window closes.
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