Opinion

Winners and losers from Jack Grealish’s potential £50m transfer to Everton include the Friedkin Group

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Everton are interested in signing Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

Jack Grealish is expected to leave Manchester City this summer transfer window after Pep Guardiola left him out of the Club World Cup squad.

Grealish appeared to hit back at Guardiola on social media after the bold announcement, suggesting that the City boss was expecting too much from him in the limited minutes he was afforded.

So it’s all gone a little bit sour, but Everton are well-placed to offer him an escape route from the Etihad Stadium.

It’s understood that Grealish to Everton is actually plausible, despite his £50m price tag, so let’s take a look at some pros and cons of the proposed transfer.

Winners from Jack Grealish transfer to Everton

Iliman Ndiaye

Iliman Ndiaye enjoyed a sensational season for Everton following his bargain £15m move from Marseille last summer.

Iliman Ndiaye, who netted 11 goals, mainly operated as a left winger, which many have argued isn’t actually his best position.

When he was the standout performer in the Championship with Sheffield United in 2022/23 – registering a whopping 27 goal involvements – he operated centrally.

So, Jack Grealish would free up Ndiaye to move into his favoured role, just behind the number nine.

The Friedkin Group

The Friedkins want to make statement additions at Everton, with the ambition of returning the club to Europe.

Grealish would certainly be that after raising his profile significantly over the last four years at Man City, winning multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The England international could generate sizable revenue in shirt sales, so it’d be a big winner for the American investors.

Losers from Jack Grealish transfer to Everton

James McAtee

Everton want to sign Grealish’s teammate James McAtee, who is also set to leave the Citizens this summer.

Guardiola wants £35m to sanction McAtee’s sale, so quite clearly, if the Toffees sign Grealish for around £50m, it surely rules out this transfer.

A double deal worth £85m just doesn’t seem feasible.

Dwight McNeil

Despite being a winger by trade, Dwight McNeil’s best work last season came from the number 10 position.

But, Grealish’s arrival would force him back out wide, with Ndiaye moving from the left flank into the middle.

Everton are also in talks to sign Ben Doak from Liverpool, and his best position is on the right wing, throwing McNeil’s role into more doubt.