Jack Grealish has been told he should only leave Manchester City for a club that will love him as speculation continues around his future. Grealish has appeared as a substitute in City's opening two games of the season, but his future at the Etihad remains uncertain.
His preference is believed to be a return to Hill Dickinson Stadium, having spent last season on loan with Everton. However, it emerged on Wednesday that Sunderland, who will play in the Europa League this season, are keen on a loan for the 30-year-old.
Sunderland and Aston Villa in contention
A permanent deal is also under consideration as the Black Cats look to strengthen in wide areas, while a return to Aston Villa has been suggested as a possibility.
But former Blues winger Pat Nevin, speaking via OLBG, believes: “Jack Grealish knows he won’t be playing every week for City, that's just honesty.
“We like him as a player. Everton, again, is one of the teams I love, and we would love to have him back. This will no doubt just come down to finances.
“Jack cost a huge amount of money, and his wages are absolutely extraordinary. I think a deal will be done, but will it be with Everton? I'm not sure.
“Everton, in the end, have to move on and build something long-term. I hope it's with Everton, but it will probably be somewhere else.
City boss provides update
“I just can't see Jack getting a game every week. He's not going to dispossess Jeremy Doku, you know, there are other players in that squad that will be tough for Jack to displace.
“Very similar to Marcus Rashford, they need to go somewhere they will play and be loved, but it will come down to the accountants.”
Providing an update on Grealish's future, City boss Enzo Maresca said on Thursday: "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."
Everton chief confirms interest
Blues boss David Moyes has been clear that he wants to make additions to his squad before the end of the transfer window and the club's chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed interest in bringing Grealish back to Merseyside last week.
“There are two things to say about Jack,” Kinnear said in an interview with Toffee TV. “The first thing is that Jack absolutely loved his time here to the extent that he wanted to do his rehabilitation in and around the club.
“He loved the fans, he was taken to their heart, and that is exactly what he needed at that time in his career. To feel he was loved somewhere and he was definitely loved here.
“We have been in touch across the summer. The reality is he is a Manchester City player, he has a year left on his contract with Man City.
“I was delighted to see he has recovered from his injury. He has had a hard time to get back from that injury. I think every club in the Premier League would be interested in a fit Jack Grealish.”
