Ex-EFC employee predicts when Everton will sign Jack Grealish permanently

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Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has delivered an optimistic verdict on the prospect of Everton signing Jack Grealish permanently from Manchester City, insisting the deal is both realistic and financially achievable for the Merseyside club.

Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes Grealish is fully focused on making his stay at Goodison Park long term and has little interest in exploring alternatives. He claims Everton are effectively the “only game in town” for the England international, despite the likelihood that Grealish’s representatives may test the market to see if other suitors emerge. According to Wyness, the player’s happiness at Everton and his strong connection with the club and its supporters give the Toffees a clear advantage in negotiations.

Central to Wyness’ assessment is the expectation that any permanent transfer fee will be significantly below the widely reported £50 million option to buy. He argues that Manchester City will be keen to move Grealish’s wages off their books and will therefore be prepared to compromise on price. A figure in the region of £20 million is suggested as a realistic level at which all parties could be satisfied: City recouping a reasonable sum, Everton securing a proven Premier League attacker, and Grealish obtaining long-term stability at a club where he is playing regularly.

Wyness also predicts that Everton will allow the season to play out before finalising anything, using Grealish’s performances in the second half of the campaign as the final indicator before triggering a deal. He is confident, however, that Grealish will continue to excel, stressing that the forward’s professionalism and quality make him a positive presence in the dressing room as well as on the pitch. In Wyness’ view, a permanent move would ultimately be “good for everybody”, cementing a transfer that suits the player, the buying club and the sellers alike.