Former Everton stalwart Alan Stubbs has disclosed an intriguing attempt at holiday recruitment, trying to persuade Jack Grealish to trade the blue of Manchester for the blue of Merseyside during a night out in Marbella. Mixing business with pleasure, it seems Stubbs took a unique approach to transfer negotiations!
Grealish’s Uncertain Future at Manchester City
The Manchester City forward has been the subject of heavy speculation regarding a move to Everton, with reports suggesting the Toffees are in early discussions about signing the England international. Grealish appears to be coming to terms with the possibility that his time at the Etihad is nearing its end, having seen his role diminish since his £100 million British record transfer from Aston Villa in 2021.
Key points to note about Grealish’s situation:
- He was notably excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad.
- Several clubs, including West Ham, Everton, Tottenham, and Serie A champions Napoli, are closely monitoring his availability.
- Any club looking to secure Grealish will need deep financial resources, as City reportedly expects his £300,000-a-week wages to be fully covered in any loan agreement.
Stubbs’ Enthusiastic Recruitment Efforts
Stubbs is eager for Everton to commit financially, having taken personal steps to persuade Grealish of the benefits of joining the Toffees at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Reflecting on his Marbella encounter, Stubbs shared:
“To be honest, I had a night out with Jack in the summer over in Marbella. I tried my best to get him to Everton. I was telling him how much he’d be loved.”
He went on to say, “He’d be an idol at Everton; the fans would really take to him.”
A Fresh Start for Grealish at Everton?
Stubbs firmly believes that Everton could be the ideal environment for Grealish to regain his best form. Despite winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League with City, the 29-year-old has struggled for consistent playing time last season, making just 32 appearances across all competitions with only 16 starts.
Notably, he managed only:
- Seven Premier League starts
- Eight attacking contributions throughout the campaign
Stubbs commented on Grealish’s need for appreciation, stating:
“Jack Grealish needs to be loved again. I think he needs to start enjoying his football.”
He added, “What he’s done at Man City is remarkable—he’s won titles and trophies—but he hasn’t been the same Jack Grealish we saw at Villa, where he had the freedom to express himself.”
The Role of David Moyes
Stubbs believes that West Ham manager David Moyes could provide Grealish with the freedom he needs to excel once more:
“I think David Moyes would give him that. I think he’d absolutely relish it at Everton. We all want to see that Jack Grealish.”
He continued, “Even if you’re a fan of any club, you’d want to see the real quality players do well. It’s a shame to see Jack Grealish go off the boil in the last year.”
Conclusion
Whether Grealish ultimately makes the move to Everton remains to be seen. However, if the deal goes through, Stubbs may want to consider adding “transfer negotiator” to his CV. Though, one suspects that official transfer talks might require a bit less sangria than his Marbella approach!