**Managing Everton: Jack Grealish Transfer Decision and David Moyes’ £40m Deal Hijack**
David Moyes, Everton’s manager, faces a critical juncture in the 2025 summer transfer window as he navigates the club’s interest in Manchester City’s Jack Grealish while reportedly hijacking a £40m deal for another target. Everton’s transfer strategy, shaped by the need for a squad rebuild after losing over 10 players to expiring contracts, has been a focal point, with Moyes vocal about needing “five or six more” signings to compete for European spots, per *Express.co.uk* (July 28, 2025).
### Jack Grealish Transfer Decision
Everton have emerged as frontrunners to sign Jack Grealish, the 29-year-old Manchester City winger, on a season-long loan, as confirmed by multiple sources including David Ornstein (*The Athletic*), *The Telegraph*, and Fabrizio Romano (*FootballTransfers.com*, August 6, 2025). Grealish, who played just 21% of available Premier League minutes in 2024/25 and was omitted from City’s Club World Cup squad, is deemed surplus by Pep Guardiola, who admitted, “He needs to play football every three days… with us or another place,” per *everton.news*. Everton’s interest hinges on a “deluxe” loan deal, with City potentially subsidizing Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages, a significant hurdle given Everton’s financial constraints under The Friedkin Group’s youth-focused recruitment policy.
Moyes sees Grealish as a marquee addition, planning to deploy him as a No. 10 rather than a left winger, leveraging his creativity to address Everton’s lack of spark in midfield, per *Sky Sports*. The club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and Grealish’s ties to the northwest—living in Cheshire with his partner Sasha Attwood—give Everton an edge over rivals like Napoli and West Ham, per *The Independent*. Posts on X, such as @EFCdaily_ and @JacobsBen, indicate Everton’s early talks with Grealish’s representatives and a proposed £10m loan package, though City may push for a permanent £40m transfer.[]
### David Moyes Hijacks £40m Deal
While pursuing Grealish, Moyes has prioritized Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, reportedly putting other deals, including Grealish’s, on hold to secure the Brazilian for £40m, per *everton.news* (July 30, 2025). Luiz, who has approved a move to Everton, missed Juventus training to push for a Premier League return, with his agents holding talks in England. Everton’s urgency stems from a competitive market, having lost out on targets like Liam Delap to Chelsea. The Friedkin Group’s backing is crucial, as Luiz’s experience alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye could bolster Everton’s midfield, per *GiveMeSport*.
### Strategic Implications
Moyes’ ambition to sign both Grealish and Luiz, alongside confirmed additions like Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, reflects a dual focus on youth and experience, per *GiveMeSport* (August 8, 2025). However, financial realities—Grealish’s wages and Luiz’s £40m fee—may force a choice, as noted by Phil McNulty (*BBC Sport*), who sees Grealish as a “long shot” unless City cover significant costs. Everton’s poor pre-season, including a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, underscores the need for quality, with Moyes eyeing a European push at their new stadium.
Losing the Grealish deal to focus on Luiz could be a calculated risk, prioritizing midfield stability over attacking flair, but a late-window loan for Grealish remains possible if City softens their stance. As the September 1 deadline looms, Moyes’ ability to balance these high-profile targets will define Everton’s 2025/26 prospects.
