Out-of-favour Manchester City forward Jack Grealish is closing in on rejoining Everton on a season-long loan deal.

According to an update from Ben Jacobs, while Manchester City preferred a permanent exit for Jack Grealish, Everton offered to cover 90 per cent of his wages, leading to optimism at the Merseyside club. The English journalist has asserted that the 30-year-old wants to rejoin Everton “over other offers” in the final days of the ongoing transfer window.

Meanwhile, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided more context on the negotiations between Everton and Manchester City, revealing that talks have advanced, with the discussions “proceeding well over loan deal”.

Jack Grealish and his resurgence

Jack Grealish has resurrected his stuttering fortunes after a solid loan spell with Everton. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, the 30-year-old struggled to make his mark after joining Manchester City in a big-money move half a decade ago. The Citizens were thus desperate to offload him last summer, though a permanent exit did not materialise.

Grealish’s loan stint at Everton was impressive, with the English international scoring two goals and providing six assists in 20 Premier League games for the Merseyside club before a foot injury prematurely ended his campaign. Nevertheless, the former Aston Villa captain’s exploits have been good enough for several clubs to pursue his signature this summer.

Will Grealish return to Everton?

Everton’s interest in Jack Grealish is logical. The Manchester City attacker hit the ground running under David Moyes, with the former Englishman showing glimpses of what he can do at his best with his match-winning performances. Additionally, no other Everton player can provide the creativity that he brings to the table. So, with the Merseyside club lacking quality on the flanks, they must re-sign the Englishman.

Meanwhile, the Aston Villa links make sense, given the Villans have seen Jadon Sancho’s loan spell end. Additionally, Leon Bailey faces an uncertain future at the West Midlands club, with a late exit understood to be on the cards. So, despite signing Alejandro Garnacho, Grealish has emerged as a viable target, and he can hit the ground running, considering his familiarity with his boyhood team.

Reports in recent months have also suggested that Grealish is happy at the Merseyside club and is ready to extend his stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. So, with the English attacker preferring to return to Everton instead of Aston Villa, talks over a late deal have progressed with that in mind, with the Toffees confident of sealing a loan deal imminently.