Kinnear confirms ongoing dialogue with Manchester City winger

Everton have not closed the door on bringing Jack Grealish back to Merseyside before the transfer window shuts. Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed the club remain in regular contact with the 30-year-old winger following his season-long loan spell at Goodison last term.

Grealish returned to parent club Manchester City this summer after recovering from a serious foot injury suffered in January. He made his first City appearance in over twelve months during last weekend's 3-0 Community Shield defeat against Arsenal, entering at half-time under new boss Enzo Maresca.

Kinnear revealed that Grealish chose to complete his post-injury rehabilitation on Merseyside rather than returning immediately to Manchester. That decision forged a strong emotional bond between player and club, giving Everton an edge if a deal opens up late in the window.

"Jack is a player we have remained in contact with. It was no secret that he decided to have his rehabilitation done here for the remainder of last season, when he didnโ€™t have to do that, he could have gone back to Man City."

The chief executive made it clear that Everton hold deep respect for Grealish's contractual situation at the Etihad Stadium. Yet his comments left a clear line of communication open as deadline day approaches on September 1.

"I think he is a player who has fallen in love with the right shade of blue but ultimately he is a Manchester City player at the moment, we need to respect that."

The rehab bond and Everton's recruitment puzzle

Grealish's initial move to Everton was engineered by David Moyes, who personally pitched the project to the former England international over FaceTime. Grealish hit the ground running on Merseyside, recording 2 goals and 6 assists across 20 Premier League games before his campaign was prematurely halted.

His decision to stay in the North West during his recovery won over both staff and fans. Kinnear believes the club's medical support established a foundation for future contract discussions if City decide to sell or re-loan the player.

"All I do know is that the supporters and the team embraced him, treated him as if he was one of our own, and that gave us a very good platform to have a longer term conversation with him but at the moment, as you have seen - the most important thing is he is back, he is fit, he had a very serious injury, he has worked really hard to get back from that so I was delighted to see that he got some minutes at the Community Shield at the weekend."

Moyes demands more arrivals as squad gaps persist

While Kinnear sounded optimistic about long-term dialogue, Everton manager David Moyes was far more guarded when pressed by Sky Sports. Moyes refused to discuss Grealish directly, abiding by traditional managerial protocol regarding contracted opposition players.

"No, not at the moment. Itโ€™s not for me to talk, Jackโ€™s a player at Man City and I donโ€™t think itโ€™s right to talk about players at other clubs."

However, Moyes left no doubt that Everton's business is far from complete. Despite adding five players during the current window, the Scottish manager insists the roster remains thin ahead of a grueling Premier League campaign.

"Weโ€™re still needing quite a few players to add to the squad. Iโ€™d like to do more if possible, we need to see how the remaining few weeks go."

The squad dynamic raises legitimate tactical questions. Everton have already invested heavily in wide areas this window, bringing in Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George. Adding another senior winger on high wages could clutter Moyes' options while leaving other key positions neglected.

Evaluating the risk: Fitness, age, and City's position

From an operational standpoint, chasing Grealish carries distinct risks for Everton. The former Villa captain turned 30 this year and has struggled with durability throughout his recent career. A seven-month layoff following foot surgery is a massive red flag for a player whose game relies on dynamic acceleration and tight dribbling.

Furthermore, his statistical return during his initial Everton loan was solid rather than spectacular. Two goals in 20 league outings represents a modest return for a player who commanded a ยฃ100m transfer fee earlier in his career. Everton cannot afford to throw premium wage allocation at a luxury player if foundational squad needs remain unmet.

Enzo Maresca's plan at the Etihad

Over in Manchester, City boss Enzo Maresca faces his own selection headache following an unconvincing pre-season campaign. City looked sluggish during their Community Shield loss to Arsenal, offering little rhythm or penetration in attacking zones.

Grealish's 45-minute cameo at Wembley proved he is fully fit, but his role in Maresca's permanent tactical setup remains uncertain. If Maresca views Grealish as a rotational bench piece, City might entertain late loan offers to clear space on their payroll.

Past statements from Grealish highlight how much he valued his fresh start under Moyes. Reflecting on his initial arrival, the winger admitted his chat with Moyes was the deciding factor after four successful years in Manchester.

"I absolutely loved my time at Man City, I had a great four years there, won a lot of things. It just felt like it was time for a change and I have said it before, as soon as I spoke to the manager David Moyes on FaceTime, I knew this was the place I wanted to come. There were a lot of reasons I wanted to come here and today showed why."

What comes next before September 1

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Everton find themselves in a delicate holding pattern. The club have laid the groundwork with the player, but any movement relies on City greenlighting a departure in the coming days.

Here is how the situation breaks down as both clubs enter the final stretch of the window:

  • Everton maintain active communication lines with Grealish's camp following his rehab stay at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
  • David Moyes wants additional squad depth before September 1, despite already signing Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George.
  • Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca must decide Grealish's squad hierarchy after handing him 45 minutes in the Community Shield.
  • Any deal will likely hinge on City accepting a late loan arrangement or subsidized wage structure.

Whether Kinnear and Moyes can turn mutual affection into a concrete deal remains the biggest storyline at Goodison this August. Everton need quality bodies fast, and Grealish knows the building inside out. Expect this narrative to run right down to the wire on deadline day.