Everton sign Jack Grealish on season-long loan as Zirkzee stays at Manchester United
Everton have signed Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City, reuniting him with manager David Moyes on Merseyside, the club announced on 1 September 2026. Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, a late target for Everton, is set to remain at Old Trafford.
Grealish spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Everton, making 20 appearances before suffering a season-ending foot injury in January, and had been linked with other clubs including boyhood side Aston Villa. The 30-year-old joined Manchester City from Villa for £100m in August 2021 and has made 159 appearances for City. He said: "I think I'm at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved. That's what the manager has given me, what my teammates have given me and especially what the fans have given me," Grealish said. "Every time I see an Everton fan, it's just pure love and the way they've welcomed me since that first game against Leeds, I'll never forget that."
During his previous spell with Everton Grealish scored twice and provided six assists in 20 appearances and won the Premier League Player of the Month for August. He returned from injury for Manchester City in their Community Shield defeat against Arsenal on 16 August and featured under Enzo Maresca in City's opening game of the 2026-27 Premier League season as they beat Bournemouth 2-1.
Everton pursued additional attacking options on transfer deadline day but were unable to secure Joshua Zirkzee, 25, who emerged as a late target after Guinea-Bissau forward Beto completed a permanent move to Serie A club Fiorentina. The Toffees had initially looked at striker Tammy Abraham, who opted to stay at Aston Villa.
Monaco striker Folarin Balogun has been a primary target for Everton and clubs have agreed a £40m fee, the club confirmed. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been signed from Lyon for £3m; the 29-year-old former Arsenal player has won five caps for England and can operate as a full-back or in midfield.
Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson has completed a permanent move to Serie A club Torino; Patterson, 24, joined Everton from Rangers in January 2022 and made 68 appearances across all competitions. Everton continue to adjust their squad following a busy transfer window.
Everton remain hopeful of adding the Monaco striker before the 23:00 BST transfer deadline despite reports the 25-year-old failed a medical on deadline day.
