Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Declan Carr

Wed 8 April 2026 12:10, UK

Jack Grealish has been in the headlines as a potential return to Everton next season is lined up.

The Blues are understood to be in talks with Manchester City over a second loan or a permanent transfer for the 30-year-old.

However, the interest in FC Koln star Said El Mala could complicate things, or suggest that a deal for Grealish is not as simple as expected.

A report from German outfit Sport Bild on 7 April claimed that the Blues could enter a bidding war for the 19-year-old winger.

Everton definitely need a new attacker in the summer, whether that is the Englishman or someone else.

How El Mala pursuit could end Everton’s Grealish chances

Everton’s involvement in the race for El Mala’s signature may mean that they surely have doubts about completing a swoop for Grealish.

That is because he plays on the left flank, where the former Aston Villa star also operates, so bringing in both players would not make much sense.

It is a dilemma as the German is considerably younger and would represent much better value for money for the Friedkin Group.

How El Mala and Grealish compare this season

Grealish had a sensational impact at the Hill Dickinson Stadium before a foot injury ruled him out for the season in January.

He notched two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League matches, but El Mala’s numbers are better, with 10 goals and three assists in 28 Bundesliga games.

The latter averages a goal every 147 minutes, with Grealish’s figure being every 816 minutes, per Sofascore, which is a huge difference.

The younger man averages 0.6 key passes and has created five big chances for his teammates, while the Toffees star averages two and has also created five.

In terms of their defensive work, the German makes 0.7 tackles per game and 1.8 ball recoveries per game and the current English top-flight star makes 1.1 tackles and 4.4 recoveries.

Therefore, El Mala is a more consistent goalscorer, but Grealish has the better all-around game, which certainly does not make a choice between them any easier.

Perhaps the connection that Grealish has with the fans and the fact that he already has experience in the English game may edge it, but it remains to be seen.