Everton legend Andy Gray knows Jack Grealish and his dad well and has been speaking to the ECHO about the possibility of the on-loan Manchester City man making a permanent move to Merseyside
Jack Grealish in action for Everton against Aston Villa(Image: (Visionhaus/Getty Images))
Andy Gray believes Manchester City will have to “play ball” this summer if Everton are able to agree a deal to keep Jack Grealish.
The attacker joined the Blues on a temporary basis during the summer transfer window after falling out of favour at City.
Grealish pushed to make his Everton move happen before the start of the season so he could have a chance to feature in England’s World Cup squad.
He went on to impress, scoring twice and claiming six assists in all competitions, but his campaign was cut short in January after he suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which required an operation.
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The Blues committed to an outlay of about £12m to cover the majority of Grealish’s wages when bringing him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A £50m option to buy was included in the loan agreement by City. However, Everton great Gray believes that figure is unrealistic for a player who is 30 years of age, and says a fee of £20m would be more realistic in terms of his former club being able to do a deal.
“I know Jack’s dad well, and I know Jack, and I speak to Jack’s dad often. Everton fans love him,” Gray, who won a league title and the Cup Winners’ Cup during his time with the Blues, said via BetSelect.co.uk.
“He’s a massive coup in respect of merchandise. If we take away the football, the kids love him. They want a shirt with his name on the back. He’s massive like that.
“Jack’s problem is his age. He’s 30 years of age, and City are not getting £50m from anyone. Not a chance. So I think that if they were to play ball, I think there’s definitely a figure that Everton would go to to keep Jack, but it’s not £50m.
Jack Grealish celebrates scoring the first stoppage time winner at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton face Crystal Palace on October 5, 2025(Image: Emma Simpson/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
“I think if they insist on £50m, then he’ll be back at Man City. I would hope he’s not, but as I say, that will be down to them.
“Maybe they’ll just cut their losses and say, ‘Okay, give us £20m, and we’ll call it a deal’. I think Everton might be tempted by that. Because what he can bring to them as well is on the pitch but off the pitch as well.
“Sure. Jack would like it. I know he would, because at Everton he doesn’t have to move house or uproot his family. He can stay there, live where he’s lived, where his kids are growing up, and at school.
“So that’s another big plus for Jack as well. He’s at a club now, he’s in a new stadium, he’s got David Moyes back in charge, and Everton are looking to move forward.”