In a blockbuster move that has sent ripples through the Premier League, Everton have secured the services of Manchester City’s Jack Grealish on a season-long loan for the 2025-26 campaign.
The 29-year-old England international, once a £100m signing for the Citizens, is set to don the iconic number 18 shirt at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking a significant coup for the Toffees and their manager, David Moyes.
This transfer represents a fresh start for both Grealish and Everton as they aim to make waves in the upcoming season.
We have completed the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City. 📝 pic.twitter.com/MXlYV7LMWb
— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2025
A Career at a Crossroads
Jack Grealish’s journey to Everton comes at a pivotal moment in his career. After a stellar 2022-23 season where he played a key role in Manchester City’s historic Treble—winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League—Grealish’s game time dwindled. Last season, he started just seven Premier League matches, totaling a mere 713 minutes, and was omitted from City’s Club World Cup squad. With new signings like Rayan Cherki and stiff competition from players like Jeremy Doku and Savinho, Grealish found himself on the fringes at the Etihad Stadium.
The loan move to Everton offers Grealish a chance to rediscover the form that made him a household name at Aston Villa, where his flair, vision, and ball-carrying ability captivated fans. With the 2026 World Cup looming, regular first-team football under Moyes is a golden opportunity for Grealish to stake a claim in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Why Everton?
Everton’s acquisition of Grealish is a statement of intent from the Merseyside club, now under the ambitious ownership of the Friedkin Group. The Toffees have moved into their state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium, leaving behind the historic Goodison Park, and are undergoing a squad overhaul to match their new era. Grealish joins a flurry of summer signings, including striker Thierno Barry (€30m), Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (€28.7m), and Flamengo’s Carlos Alcaraz (€15m), among others.
David Moyes, reappointed as Everton’s manager in January 2025, has a track record of revitalizing experienced Premier League talents, and he sees Grealish as a key creative spark for a side that struggled for attacking fluency last season. Speaking to evertontv, Grealish expressed his excitement: “It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.” He also highlighted the warm reception from Everton supporters on social media, which played a role in his decision.
The deal itself is a financial masterstroke for Everton. With no obligation to buy, the loan agreement includes a £50m option to make the move permanent next summer, depending on Grealish’s performances. Reports suggest Grealish has made “financial sacrifices” to facilitate the transfer, easing the burden of his £300,000-a-week wages, a significant portion of which Manchester City will still cover.
The Number 18 and a Nod to Legends
Grealish’s choice of the number 18 shirt carries special significance. Inspired by two of his footballing idols, Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, both of whom wore the number during their time at Everton, Grealish revealed he jumped at the chance to take it. “As soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me,” he told evertontv. He even consulted Rooney before finalizing the move, adding a personal touch to his new chapter.
Our new No.18. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/2u0yyx2tSp
— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2025
What Grealish Brings to Everton
Grealish’s arrival is expected to transform Everton’s attacking dynamics. Known for his ability to drive at defenders, win fouls, and create chances, he brings a level of creativity that Everton have lacked in recent seasons. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes the move is a “brilliant” one for both parties, noting that Grealish will have more space to operate at Everton compared to the tightly marked games he faced at City. “He’ll be one vs one in a lot of games. He’ll get the ball and be able to attack players, commit them and take them on,” Merson said.
Moyes is likely to deploy Grealish on the left flank or as a number 10, where he can link up with new signings like Dewsbury-Hall and potentially Southampton’s teenage talent Tyler Dibling, who has been linked with Everton. Up top, Grealish will support strikers Thierno Barry or Beto, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin having departed the club. This attacking trio, backed by a solid defensive unit featuring Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, and Jarrad Branthwaite, could propel Everton up the Premier League table.
A World Cup Lifeline
For Grealish, the move is as much about personal redemption as it is about club ambitions. After falling out of favor at City, his limited game time last season jeopardled speculation about his England future. Merson believes the move to Everton gives Grealish a “great chance” to secure a spot on the plane to the 2026 World Cup in the United States. “If he performs to the ability he can, Grealish will be on that plane,” Merson added.
Grealish has been proactive in preparing for the season, working with a personal trainer to ensure peak physical condition. His determination to prove himself at Everton could see a return to the dazzling form that once made him a £100m player.
A New Era at Everton
Everton’s 2025-26 season kicks off with a challenging trip to newly promoted Leeds United on August 18, and Grealish could make his debut in that Monday Night Football clash, live on Sky Sports. The move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, coupled with high-profile signings like Grealish, signals a brighter future for a club that has battled relegation in recent years. With Moyes’ pragmatic approach and the Friedkin Group’s financial backing, Everton are poised to compete more robustly in the Premier League.
For Grealish, this loan spell is a chance to rediscover his love for the game, free from the tactical constraints of Pep Guardiola’s system. For Everton fans, it’s an opportunity to welcome a player with undeniable talent and a point to prove. As the Toffees embark on their new chapter, all eyes will be on Jack Grealish to see if he can light up Merseyside and propel Everton to new heights.
