Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Wed 11 March 2026 10:10, UK

Everton have been told to consider a move for Jens Petter Hauge as a cheaper alternative to Jack Grealish.

Grealish swapped Manchester City for Everton on loan last summer, with the winger impressing at Hill Dickinson Stadium before a foot injury prematurely ended his season in January.

The 30-year-old, who scored two goals and added six assists in 20 Premier League games, could join Everton this summer if David Moyes’ team takes up their option to buy him for £50million.

However, that is quite a big gamble for the Toffees, prompting them to look for other winger candidates ahead of next season.

Now, European football expert Andy Brassell believes Everton should look at recruiting Bodo/Glimt winger Hauge instead.

Jens Petter Hauge backed to light up the Premier League

In the Norwegian team’s 2025 season, Hauge scored 11 goals and added as many assists in 52 matches in all competitions.

In their 2025-26 Champions League campaign alone, the 26-year-old scored six goals and added an assist in just 10 games. Plus, in the qualifying rounds, he added an extra four assists.

That has led to links with the likes of Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa and more. And according to Brassell, the Norway international, whose contract runs until 2028, could be worth a punt this summer.

He told talkSPORT: “If he was going to come to the Premier League, and we’ve seen the level of his ability, he’s really something special.

“I don’t think there are that many authentic wide players in the Premier League outside wing-backs anymore.

“So I think he would fill an interesting gap. Now I think of teams that I think could do with non-wing-back better width, I could see him really thriving at Aston Villa under Unai Emery. I think he’d be great there.

“I think again we’re talking about if they stay up, but I think he would be someone who would be a positive cultural shift for Spurs as well.

“And I think if we’re talking about [Everton], maybe deciding Jack Grealish, particularly on a wages level, is a bit too expensive. And of course, he’s four years older than Jens Petter Hauge. I think he would be an interesting fit for Everton.”

Reports suggest Hauge could cost between £20-30m this summer. Whether or not Everton make a move for him remains to be seen.

Everton may need to proceed with caution over Hauge

Everton were linked with Hauge late in the January transfer window but a move never came to fruition. Instead, they signed Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea, but so far, he has underwhelmed for the Toffees.

Meanwhile, the Bodo/Glimt winger has proven he can shine on the big stage, with Hauge bagging goals against Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Inter Milan.

However, the Norwegian did struggle the last time he got a big move. Back in 2020, AC Milan signed him from Bodo/Glimt.

Despite scoring five goals in his first season there, he was shipped off on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt the following campaign, before spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Gent.

He signed for Frankfurt permanently in 2023 before heading back to Bodo in early 2024.

Hauge has shone in a smaller league, away from the limelight. While he appears to have blossomed as a player, the Premier League would be a step up. Can he make that jump? That is up in the air.