Everton land Jack Grealish on season-long loan in dramatic deadline dash

Jack Grealish back in royal blue? You’d better believe it. Everton have thrashed out a season-long loan with Manchester City for the England international, with a medical booked for Tuesday morning and a race on to file the paperwork before that familiar 11pm squeaky-bum finish. It’s the marquee swing of a bullish window on Merseyside.

Loan agreed: medical booked, deadline dash on

Per David Ornstein and The Athletic, Everton have an agreement with City to bring Grealish back after his eye-catching spell last term was curtailed by a January foot injury. He’s pushed for a return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium despite admiring glances from Sunderland and Aston Villa, and the Toffees have stayed patient to get it over the line.

Everton’s offer: big wages, no loan fee

Club sources indicate Everton will stump up around 90% of Grealish’s salary and won’t pay a loan fee — the sort of deal structure that made them the only suitor willing to meet City’s demands. It’s a proper power play from a club determined to add end product and swagger to the flanks.

For those eyeing the market moves on best betting sites, this late flurry will jolt a few outright prices. Everton covering the bulk of Grealish’s wages with no fee, while pushing to land a new No 9, screams ambition at the death of the window.

City’s hijack elsewhere: Ndiaye to the Etihad

There’s a twist in the other direction too. City have pinched Iliman Ndiaye in a £65m switch, gazumping Tottenham and smoothing relations as these parallel negotiations unfolded. It’s the sort of big-club choreography we’ve come to expect in the final hours.

Balogun inbound, Beto outbound: Moyes gets his striker

Everton have agreed a package north of £40m for USMNT frontman Folarin Balogun from Monaco, while Beto is set for Fiorentina in a deal around the £17m mark. David Moyes wanted fresher, sharper options up top — and he’s getting them, right under the wire.

Right-back priority: Tete talks revived

The Toffees are also pushing to finalise Kenny Tete. A move was poised last summer before he opted to renew at Fulham, but at 30, the Dutchman is again close to a switch to the Hill Dickinson, with completion expected on deadline day. Tick that box and the squad balance looks far tidier.

Grealish by the numbers

Last season: 22 appearances (all comps), 1,723 minutes, 2 goals, 6 assists — with 17 games missed through injury. At City overall: 159 appearances, 17 goals, 23 assists. Not gaudy, but when he’s on song he knits moves together and drags teams up the pitch — just what Everton’s wide areas have lacked when the bench thins.

Contract situation: one year left, permanent on the table

Grealish is into the final year of his Etihad deal and would be available on a free next summer. If he shines back on Merseyside, there’s a clear runway for Everton to make the move permanent. Low-risk for City, high-upside for the Toffees.

What the key voices are saying

In August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told GIVEMESPORT he was hopeful Grealish would return and urged Everton to sort out the right-back situation — sparing Jake O’Brien from another year out of position. The message chimes with what Moyes is targeting before the shutters come down.

Window wrap: ins, outs, and the new spine

It’s been a busy few months. Hayden Hackney, Brennan Johnson, and Christian Nørgaard have arrived, with Merlin Röhl and Tyrique George made permanent after loans. On the flip side, Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, Seamus Coleman, and Beto have moved on, Ndiaye is heading out, and Tim Iroegbunam has agreed a £22m switch to Hull City. Add Grealish and Balogun, and suddenly Everton’s XI looks quicker, tidier, and far more threatening.

Pundit’s verdict

Assuming the medical goes smoothly and the fax machines behave, this is the jolt of class Everton craved. Grealish brings carry, control and a bit of theatre — and if Balogun hits the ground running while Tete locks down the right, Moyes will have turned a patchwork frontline into something opponents genuinely fear. Deadline day drama? Everton are embracing it.