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WEDNESDAY | JULY 30, 2025

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Cracker Jack surprise Everton plot shock move for Man City forward Grealish

E VERTON are aiming to secure a loan deal for Jack Grealish, although any negotiation depends on whether Manchester City will accept a “deluxe” temporary agreement or push for a per manent sale. The 29-year-old has been frozen out of Pep Guardiola’s squad, having not been taken to the Club World Cup, and is free to look at other options. Napoli have expressed interest so far, but Everton feel they have a chance due to the player’s anticipated willing ness to stay in the north, sources tell The Independent. The player had a daughter with his long-term partner, Sasha Attwood, in September, and is keen for some stabil ity. Everton would provide the chance to stay in Cheshire and could also pre sent an attractive football opportunity. David Moyes is willing to build his team around Grealish, while offering more freedom than he has had at City. Many close to the player feel one reason for his recent struggles has been the fact that such a free-spirited attacker has been tactically con strained. There is also the added attraction of Everton entering a new era in the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the Friedkin ownership’s willingness to spend after the recent takeover. Asked about Grealish’s omission from the Club World Cup, City boss Guardiola said: “He had a conversation with the club and they decided it was best. “Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last sea

team in some ways today,” Moyes said post-game. “We had five players playing out of position really.” Speaking to The Athletic ahead of that encounter, the boss revealed that an entirely new team needed to be bought. “We’re a long

son is of course my decisions. “We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest. “We decide that the best thing is to stay (behind) and have a place that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the Treble or all his career in Aston Villa. “Without him it would have been more difficult in the year of the Treble. “The fact is in the last two seasons he didn’t play much minutes. He has to come back to play and have the butter flies in his stomach that he can play every three days, every three days and show again the quality he has.” Moyes’ side has struggled to bring in a winger this summer. The Scotsman admitted Everton need new additions after losing 3-0 to Bournemouth in a US pre-season warmup game at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday. An already threadbare

have hoped it would have been much further down the line than we are. “I would hope by the time we get to the end of the window, we’d be closer to 10 (new players).” Everton are fortunate that their situation is not worse, in no small part due to Moyes’s rejuvenating impact since taking over from Sean Dyche midway through last season. Arriving for his second spell, the Scottish 62-year-old has gen erated a positivity that hasn’t been witnessed at the club for years. As former Everton and US striker Landon Donovan said: “It just feels right. It really does. “In my opinion, the best way to move forward in a healthy way is to do it with someone who understands the history of the club.

way away just now. I would

“There’s nobody who under stands that more than David Moyes.” However, if

Everton squad has been weak ened further with departures. Talismanic striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, midfield stal wart Abdoulaye Doucoure and reliable fullback Ashley Young have exited on free transfers, while Jack Harrison, who spar kled into form at the end of last season, has returned to his parent club Leeds United after a loan spell. The team Moyes was forced to select for the Bournemouth game illus trated this lack of first team talent. “We were nearly struggling to field the

Moyes is to get Everton to the level the club and stadium deserve, he will need more players, and he will need them

fast. – The Independent/ Agencies

Man City midfielder Jack Grealish.

Heroes’ welcome England manager Sarina Wiegman (centre) holds the trophy next to Leah Williamson (centre, right) and players as they pose for a photograph during their visit to No. 10 Downing Street after winning the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament. – REUTERSPIC

Stokes under fire

- Story on page 28

- Story on page 30

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