TRANSFER SCOOP: JACK GREALISH "ONLY HAS EYES FOR EVERTON" DESPITE RIVALS CIRCLING
Grealish injury update: Even with a fractured foot, Everton leads the race to sign the City star. Get the full transfer insider scoop.
Everton is gearing up for a battle with several Premier League clubs who want Jack Grealish, as he looks set to leave Man City again.
Grealish’s loan at Everton got cut short after a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, but now decisions about his future are moving fast.
Plenty of Premier League sides have noticed what Grealish did this season and jumped into the race for him. Even so, Everton still looks like the frontrunner to sign the 30-year-old. That’s what I said on the latest Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast: Everton are ahead of the pack for now.
Grealish has really enjoyed his time at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and David Moyes wants him to stay, especially after seeing the impact Grealish made in the starting lineup.
Back in February, Football Insider reported that Everton is working to sign Grealish permanently for around £20 million, a bargain for someone of his quality. At the same time, they’re not ruling out another loan, since the finances around a permanent deal, including wages, might be tough for Everton to pull off.
Since Everton could make Grealish available, other Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye. But even with all that interest, they might still miss out.
On the Transfer Insider podcast, I said, “Other Premier League clubs are definitely watching what’s happening with Grealish at City. He’s looked back to his best during his loan at Everton, so it’s no surprise others are interested, not just in England, but across Europe too. He’s made a real impression. The injury was a blow for both him and Everton, but before that, he put in six assists and two goals in 20 games. He really seems to thrive under David Moyes.”
So, how does Grealish actually feel about staying at Everton? Despite all the attention from other clubs, sources say he wants to stay at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Football Insider reported in December that Grealish “only has eyes for Everton” as he considers life after Man City. Pep’s side has shut the door on him coming back, and after finally getting to be the main man at Everton, he doesn’t want to give that up.
People close to Grealish say he’s loving life on Merseyside. Even though his season ended early, nobody’s acting like his time at Everton is done.
Right now, you have to say Everton is in the best spot to sign Grealish if he leaves Man City. The good news for Everton fans? Grealish is definitely open to coming back.
ASTON VILLA FAVOURITES TO SIGN JAMES TRAFFORD AS MAN CITY EXIT LOOMS
James Trafford transfer latest: Discover why Aston Villa lead the £30m race for the Man City keeper ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Aston Villa have jumped into the race for James Trafford, with Leeds United and Newcastle United also circling. According to Football Insider, quite a few clubs want Trafford this summer. Since joining Manchester City, things haven’t exactly gone his way. Trafford ended up stuck behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, and now Villa are the latest team looking to snap him up, joining Leeds and Newcastle, who’ve shown interest for a while.
Last summer, Newcastle really pushed to sign Trafford from Burnley. But in the end, he chose to head back to Manchester City. The city paid £27 million to bring him back, hoping he’d be their new No. 1. Then, out of nowhere, Donnarumma became available late in the window. City grabbed the Italian, and Trafford got bumped to the bench. For a guy who wanted to break into the England squad, sitting out games has been tough, and it puts his international hopes in doubt this summer.
Trafford’s ready to move on now. There were already rumours about him leaving in January, but City weren’t interested in letting him go back then. Instead, they allowed Stefan Ortega to join Nottingham Forest. With regular playing time now a priority, Trafford’s looking at his options, and several clubs are lining up to make a move.
Newcastle are still keen; they’re probably thinking about bringing Trafford in and letting go of Aaron Ramsdale, who’s only there on loan. Leeds also wants to strengthen their squad, assuming it stays in the Premier League. But both face some real competition from Aston Villa.
Villa might actually have the edge here. Unlike Leeds and Newcastle, who both have solid goalkeepers already, Villa’s situation is up in the air. Emiliano Martinez could leave this summer, and if that happens, the No. 1 spot would be wide open for Trafford. Plus, Villa are set for European football next season. If they need a new first-choice keeper, Trafford fits the bill. If Villa really go after him, you have to think they’re the favourites to get the deal done.
MANCHESTER CITY EMERGE AS FAVOURITES TO SIGN £100M STAR ELLIOT ANDERSON
Manchester City lead the race for £100m Elliot Anderson. Discover why Newcastle are out and how the Forest star fits Pep's plans.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke says Manchester City are leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. Newcastle? They’re not really in the running. Eddie Howe has made it clear he’d love to bring Anderson back, and honestly, he didn’t want to let him go in the first place when Forest bought him in 2024.
Since then, Anderson’s gone up a level. He’s become one of Forest’s standout players and, really, one of the best central midfielders in the league right now. No surprise he’s attracting attention; there’s a long list of clubs that want him this summer. Manchester City look like the favourites if Anderson decides to move on.
Newcastle’s chances? Pretty slim. Without Champions League football, and with financial rules like PSR and FFP in play, they just can’t match the kind of money Forest will want, likely around £100 million. It seems out of reach for them.
Anderson’s numbers back up the hype. He’s been solid all season for Forest, playing 32 games across all competitions, notching a goal and a couple of assists. Those stats don’t even tell the full story. He’s been a key presence in midfield, breaking up play, picking passes, and just generally making things happen. He doesn’t shy away from a tackle and isn’t afraid to take a shot from a distance, either.
His contract runs until 2029, so Forest aren’t under pressure to sell, and nobody’s getting him for cheap. But if City want him, they have the resources to make it happen.
Would he fit in at City? Absolutely. He’s got Premier League experience, plenty of energy, and the kind of vision Pep Guardiola loves in his midfielders. At 23, he’s still got his best years ahead of him. If City pull this off, they’re getting a player who could make an immediate impact and just keep getting better. For them, Anderson really does look like the perfect signing this summer.