Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
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Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
England are on the lookout for a new coach heading into the World Cup after being swept in the Ashes.
Coach Shaun Wane has reportedly resigned from the post after a disappointing 3-0 whitewash against Australia last year.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
"I'm an all-in kind of girl. You'll get my whole heart and soul." 🙌
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.