(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Thu 28 May 2026 19:10, UK

Jack Grealish is still sought after by Everton for next season, but the imminent arrival of Enzo Marseca at Manchester City may have caused nerves around a permanent move.

The Toffees are hopeful of bringing the Man City loanee back to Hill Dickinson this summer, but want to make his stay permanent.

After signing Grealish on loan last summer, a buy option of £50million was included in his contract, but David Moyes has since said that this clause will not be triggered.

Man City are said to understand this, and may be willing to negotiate the 30-year-old’s sale at a cut-price fee of £20m, instead.

However, Everton have been dealt a twist in their transfer pursuit here, as Marseca’s Man City arrival could give Grealish a new chance to impress, but the latter’s latest social media post suggests otherwise.

What did Jack Grealish post that will calm Everton nerves?

Recent reports have suggested that Grealish will be a part of Man City’s pre-season under Maresca, and like other out-of-favour stars, will have a second chance to impress.

However, this does not increase his chances of remaining at the Etihad Stadium, as the only thing that would entice him would most likely be a guaranteed starting spot.

Could you really see Grealish starting week-in-week-out under Marseca, with the likes of Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, and whoever else City sign this summer available to use?

Maresca is all but confirmed to replace Pep Guardiola at City, but Grealish’s latest Instagram post suggests a return to Hill Dickinson isn’t out of the question.

📱Jack Grealish’s Latest Instagram Story! 💙

👀⏳ pic.twitter.com/2Hg6BPNZv0

— Everton FC News 💙 (@NilSatisNews) May 27, 2026

The Englishman posted a montage of his best moments with the Blues this season, including a message where he admitted he can’t wait to be back playing.

He’s old enough and wise enough to know that regular playing time isn’t going to happen with his parent club, and unless he joins someone else, his only natural next destination is Everton.

Everton will also need to sign Grealish back-up option

If this season was any type of lesson for Moyes and the recruitment team, it’s that no matter how good the starting eleven is, contingencies need to be in place for when inevitable injuries occur.

Everton were left scrambling in the winter window after Grealish’s season abruptly ended his season early, and they ended up signing Tyrique George on loan with a reported option to buy, for a suggested eight-figure fee.

Given how highly-rated the Chelsea winger is, it says it all when the Toffees are now set to avoid triggering that buy option.

So if Grealish does indeed return, they need to sign a backup plan, just in case everything falls apart again.

Jamie Lewelling and Esmir Bajraktarevic have both been strongly linked with Everton in recent weeks, and either of them could be fantastic rotational options if Grealish does make a desired return to the Blues this summer.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.