Why Man City hold the cards as Everton and Jack Grealish transfer reunion under threat

Manchester City may have the final say as Everton look to re-sign Jack Grealish.

The Toffees completed an ambitious move for the England international on a loan deal last summer, which included a £50million option to buy.

While the 30-year-old was certainly worth the investment, The Friedkin Group decided against making his loan move permanent.

Grealish is still wanted at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but he isn't valued as much by the American owners in Merseyside.

If it weren't for the Englishman's injury at the turn of the year, David Moyes would surely have found more success last season.

The forward brought much-needed creativity on the left-wing as he reignited his career in L3, but the Blues may leave their fans gutted with their stance on his return.

Why Everton are wrong in Jack Grealish transfer pursuit

Goodison News have covered claims of Grealish possibly leaving Man City towards the end of the transfer window as he continues to recover from his injury.

Despite the Toffees' interest in bringing the attacker back to Hill Dickinson Stadium, it depends on his price tag in M11.

According to the Liverpool Echo on 1 August, Grealish is also keen on returning to the Blues, but Man City will need to budge from last summer's £50m valuation.

With the England international turning 31 in September and his contract at the Etihad Stadium expiring next year, the Merseyside outfit are justified in their stance.

While TFG may not want to break the transfer record in L3, they arguably have no choice as Man City hold the cards.

Enzo Maresca could possibly decide to reintegrate Grealish into the squad ahead of next season and that would certainly have repercussions at the Blues.

It's clear that the Merseysiders need Grealish more than the Citizens' need to offload him.

David Moyes' attacking options assessed ahead of next season

Everton open their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at home on 22 August.

Unless the Toffees make some quick-fire additions to their squad, it looks like they will be going up against the Eagles with an evident lack of quality.

Grealish will surely be a big miss if the Blues can't agree a deal for him by then, with Tyrique George seemingly the only senior option to play in his stead.

Ndiaye can play on the left-wing, but then that would leave Dwight McNeil, Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rohl as the options on the right.

There's plenty of work to be done in L3, but the most important signing will undoubtedly be Grealish.