Jack Grealish is experiencing a footballing rebirth in an Everton shirt. After a difficult period at Manchester City, where he fell out of Pep Guardiola's starting lineup following the treble-winning 2022-23 season, he moved to the Merseyside club on a season-long loan.
This move has proven to be a masterstroke. The England international has flourished under David Moyes, but his future may lie neither at Everton nor at City. A surprise offer from Spain is on the table.
Grealish's numbers in the blue shirt are solid. In 20 league matches, he has recorded two goals and six assists. Everton do have an option for a permanent transfer worth £50m, but it is not yet clear whether they will be able to afford the 30-year-old midfielder. Or indeed whether they will even want to sign the attacking player. An unexpected suitor has therefore entered the picture: Barcelona.
Rashford's future uncertain, is Plan B
According to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona have identified Grealish as an alternative to Marcus Rashford. The latter is on loan at Camp Nou from Manchester United and is performing brilliantly. Barcelona have a pre-agreed option on Rashford worth £26m, which appears to be a favourable price.
However, the problem lies in the Catalan club's priorities for the 2026-27 season. The Barca hierarchy are planning to invest heavily in a new top centre-back and, above all, in a striker to replace Robert Lewandowski.
This could mean there will be no room in the budget for a permanent deal for Rashford. Furthermore, following Ruben Amorim's sacking from the United bench, the door has opened for Rashford to return to Old Trafford, although that obviously does not mean he will automatically go back to Manchester.
Guardiola will not stand in the way of departure
If Barcelona do not keep Rashford, Grealish is at the top of their list of alternatives. SPORT report that the Catalans would attempt a similar model to Rashford, namely a loan with an option to buy.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly prepared to sanction Grealish's departure, particularly given that the player's contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until June 2027.
For Grealish, who has spent his entire career in England, a move to Barcelona would represent his first spell abroad. Whether he will swap Everton's battling style for the technical La Liga will be decided in the coming months.
