Everton given boost in pursuit of Jack Grealish

Everton have been given a boost in their pursuit of Jack Grealish as the Manchester City outcast appears not to be part of Pep Guardiola’s plans this season.

Daily Mail Sport previously reported that Fenerbahce were knocked back with an ambitious move for the England international.

In June, we revealed how the Merseyside club were monitoring the situation with the former Aston Villa man, who would become a marquee signing as they mark their move to a new stadium.

Now, an approach has been made over the possibility of a season-long loan switch for Grealish, who is thought to be on around £300,000-a-week at City.

Those with knowledge of the season believe a move may not materialise until late in the window, given the belief that a number of clubs who are interested are yet to come forward.

Should they manage to do so, persuading Grealish to make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock would be seen as a major play for Everton’s new owners, the Friedkin Group.

Manager David Moyes is known to be an admirer of the 29-year-old winger, branding him ‘probably the best player in the Premier League at this time,’ in 2021.

Interest is likely to come from both home and abroad. Grealish has been told he can leave and was excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad. He is keen to force his way back into the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Bayern Munich are known to be admirers, along with Newcastle United, although Toon manager Eddie Howe is not a fan of loans.

Grealish arrived at City for a then-British record £100m in 2021, and his contract does not expire until 2027.

Grealish did not feature in City’s first friendly of pre-season and is highly likely to miss the weekend trip to Palermo ahead of his likely move away.

He is thought to have been at the City Football Academy on Saturday as Pep Guardiola fielded two different line ups during a slender 1-0 victory over Preston North End in a behind closed doors match.

But the 29-year-old was not used by Guardiola, whose side finish their preparations for the new campaign in Sicily on Saturday.