Everton manager David Moyes has revealed he is using the dramatic resurgence of Jack Grealish as a central part of his pitch to attract future transfer targets to Goodison Park.
The Grealish Blueprint for Recruitment
Moyes believes that by pointing to Grealish's journey from an out-of-favour Manchester City player to a revitalised fan favourite on Merseyside, he can convince other talents to join the club. The 30-year-old winger, who scored a late winner at Bournemouth on Tuesday, has become a key figure after initially struggling for form at the Etihad Stadium.
"I tried (selling the club to targets) in the summer but I didn't get much joy," Moyes admitted. He suggested that perceptions of the club have changed, with the new stadium, team building, and competitive market activity now making Everton a more attractive proposition.
He cited another success story in midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has flourished after leaving Chelsea, as evidence of the environment he can offer. Moyes expressed immense pride in developing players for the England squad, naming Leon Osman as a past example and mentioning Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner as current hopes.
Negotiating a Permanent Deal and Selection Headaches
Looking ahead, Moyes confirmed Everton's interest in making Grealish's loan move permanent but indicated the club would seek to renegotiate the £50 million fee stipulated in the agreement. With Grealish turning 30 and entering the final year of his City contract this summer, Moyes stated, "I don't think we would be in that ball game... it would be very difficult to pay that sort of money."
He compared Grealish's situation to his successful loan of Jesse Lingard to West Ham, which revived the player's career and earned an England recall. Moyes emphasised he is still pushing Grealish to extract even more from his performances each week.
Injury and Suspension Crisis for Forest Clash
Ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, managed by his predecessor Sean Dyche, Moyes faces a significant selection crisis. Midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are suspended after accumulating five yellow cards each.
The defensive line is also severely depleted, with Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite ruled out injured. There are also major doubts over the fitness of defender Michael Keane and midfielder Merlin Rohl, leaving Moyes with limited options.
Despite these challenges, Moyes remains optimistic about Everton's project, believing the evidence of player development at Goodison Park will be a powerful tool in future transfer windows.
