Everton have agreed a deal to re-sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City on a season-long loan, with the England international set to undergo a medical before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The 30-year-old is returning to Goodison Park after spending much of last season with Everton on loan.
Grealish made 20 appearances for the Toffees last season, scoring twice and providing six assists before a foot injury ended his campaign in January.
The winger had attracted interest from several clubs, including his boyhood side Aston Villa, but Everton remained his preferred destination. Club chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed that the Merseyside club had maintained contact with Grealish throughout the summer.
His return comes as Everton prepare to lose one of their key attacking players, with Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye expected to complete a £65 million move to Manchester City.
The Toffees have therefore moved quickly to strengthen their attack, bringing Grealish back to the club while also closing in on Monaco and USA forward Folarin Balogun in a deal worth around £40 million.
Everton had also been trying to bring former striker Richarlison back from Tottenham, but those negotiations appear to have stalled over personal terms.
Grealish joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for a British-record £100 million in August 2021 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in recent seasons.
He has made two appearances for City this campaign, coming off the bench in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal and the Premier League victory over Bournemouth.
He was not involved in City’s 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on Friday.
The return to Everton gives Grealish an opportunity to regain regular first-team football while rebuilding his fitness and form following last season’s injury.
Everton are also involved in talks over the future of Scotland defender Nathan Patterson, with Serie A club Torino interested in the 24-year-old. Discussions are continuing, although it remains unclear whether Patterson would move on loan or on a permanent transfer.
With the transfer deadline approaching, Everton’s attacking rebuild is gathering pace. Grealish is set to return, Ndiaye is expected to head in the opposite direction to Manchester City, and Balogun remains another major target for the Toffees.
