Jack Grealish would prefer to rejoin Everton if he departs Manchester City before the transfer deadline on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the situation. City, meanwhile, are actively considering a move for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, who has turned down multiple contract extensions from the Merseyside club.
The 30-year-old Grealish has featured only as a substitute in City's first two matches of the season under new manager Enzo Maresca, who has signalled his willingness to allow the England international to leave before the window closes. Grealish spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, where he contributed two goals and six assists across 20 appearances before suffering a season-ending foot injury in January.
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear recently confirmed to a local broadcaster that the club has "remained in contact" with the player. Grealish's former club Aston Villa are also believed to retain interest in bringing back their former captain, though City sources indicate no formal bids have materialised from any interested party so far this summer.
Maresca addressed Grealish's situation on Thursday, stating:
Jack is here. Until the day he is, it my duty to try and help him to give us the best. In the next four, five days, we will see what happens. I speak with Jack almost every day.
According to reporting on 27 August 2026, Sunderland submitted a loan proposal for Grealish, with City prepared to cover a portion of his wages and retain an option to make the arrangement permanent the following summer. Footy Insider also reported on 27 August 2026 that Grealish continues to prioritise a return to Everton should he not feature in City's immediate plans.
Grealish is in the final year of a reported £300,000-a-week contract at the Etihad, and his rehabilitation from his foot stress fracture took place at Everton rather than at City, a decision that strengthened his bond with supporters and the club's hierarchy.
What is City's interest in Ndiaye?
Manchester City are examining the possibility of acquiring Ndiaye, the creative force at the heart of Everton's attacking play. The 26-year-old Senegal international rejected a substantial offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal earlier in the summer, choosing instead to pursue opportunities in European football.
Ndiaye has turned down multiple contract renewal proposals from Everton, with his desire to play in the Champions League understood to be a key factor in his reluctance to commit his future to the club. According to The Athletic's reporting on 27 August 2026, Ndiaye recorded six goals and three assists in 34 matches during the 2025-26 season, demonstrating his importance to Everton's campaign.
Everton face no compulsion to sell Ndiaye, whose contract extends until 2029, and the club is likely to demand a fee in the region of £70m to even consider negotiations. However, reports on 27 August 2026 indicated that City are considering an offer around the £80m mark, and that a potential swap arrangement involving Grealish has been discussed.
How does Ndiaye's contract situation complicate matters?
Ndiaye's contractual position represents a significant obstacle to any potential transfer. The winger signed for Everton in July 2024 from Marseille on a five-year agreement valued at approximately £15m, providing the club with substantial security over his services. According to The Athletic, Ndiaye currently has three years remaining on his current deal, and Everton anticipate interest from Champions League-competing clubs.
Manager David Moyes has made clear his reluctance to lose Ndiaye, viewing him as arguably his squad's most creative player. However, the prospect of Grealish's return could provide some compensation for the loss of such a key performer. Everton opened contract discussions with Ndiaye earlier in the summer but failed to reach an agreement, leaving the door open for external interest.
What is Grealish's history with Everton?
Grealish's loan spell at Everton last season proved popular with supporters and the club's staff, despite being curtailed by injury. He was sidelined from January onwards with a stress fracture of the foot, preventing him from contributing further to the Toffees' campaign. Kinnear acknowledged the player's commitment to his rehabilitation at Everton rather than returning to City, describing it as evidence of his affection for the club.
Kinnear told the broadcaster:
It's no secret he decided to have his rehabilitation here for the rest of the season when he didn't have to do that. He could have gone back to Manchester City. I think he is a player who has fallen in love with the right shade of blue but ultimately he is Manchester City player and we have to respect that.
He continued:
We, the supporters and the team embraced him and treated him as if he was one of our own and gives us a very good platform to have a longer term conversation with him.
Everton chose not to activate a permanent transfer option for Grealish earlier this summer, with City's rumoured £50m valuation proving prohibitive at that stage of the window.
What happens next?
The transfer window deadline of Tuesday represents the final opportunity for all parties to conclude negotiations. City must decide whether to pursue Ndiaye further or allow Grealish to depart, while Everton will determine whether to facilitate Grealish's return and whether to resist City's advances for Ndiaye. Multiple loan options and permanent deals remain under consideration, with the structure of any agreement still to be finalised in the coming days.
Key Facts:
- Grealish has made two substitute appearances for City this season and is open to leaving before Tuesday's deadline
- Ndiaye scored six goals and provided three assists in 34 matches for Everton in 2025-26, establishing himself as a key creative force
- City are considering an offer for Ndiaye around £80m, with a potential Grealish-involved swap also discussed
- Grealish is in the final year of a £300,000-a-week City contract and prioritises a return to Everton
- Ndiaye has three years remaining on his Everton contract and is known to desire Champions League football
