‘His wages are enormous’ – Stefan Borson drops Jack Grealish to Everton verdict
Everton are racing to sign Manchester City star Jack Grealish despite his “enormous” wages at the Etihad Stadium.
Football Insider revealed on 11 July Grealish is among three players Pep Guardiola wants to sell alongside Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee.
The 29-year-old started in 16 of his 32 appearances last season, where he registered three goals and five assists.
Everton are among multiple clubs to have been linked with Grealish this summer, with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Tottenham and West Ham also believed to be interested in acquiring his services.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on 6 August Everton have opened talks with Man City about a season-long loan deal for the winger.
A major question mark in any potential transfer will be Grealish’s wages, with his deal, which expires in June 2027, believed to be worth around £300,000 a week.
Man City signed the England international from Villa for a then-British record £100million fee in 2021.
Everton could have to pay £15m to sign Jack Grealish
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Football Insider revealed on 5 August David Moyes backs himself to “rejuvenate” Grealish following his recent struggles at the Etihad.
The winger was left out of Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup this summer as his time in Manchester appears to be coming to an end.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “Everton have got to buy some players because they’re another team that we could add to the list that are going to be busy between now and the end of the window.
“There’s just no question. They have hardly got any players because of how many are out of contract and moved on and things like that, so they’re going to be busy.
“Is the Grealish deal difficult? Well, in some ways, the only complexity on the deal is how much is a team prepared to pay of Grealish’s wages.
“It’s very hard to imagine any team is going to pay a fee for Grealish, given that his wages are enormous and given that he’s got one or two issues.
“Now, it could be a bargain for somebody. I think there are various situations and managers that could get something out of Grealish.
“I think to be honest, any of the teams that have sort of been touted, Newcastle, Villa, Spurs, Everton, I think all of them have got managers who could get a tune out of Grealish, but I don’t think any of them are going to pay a fee.
“It’s not a complicated deal, save that somebody’s got to allocate let’s say £10-15million of overall cost signing Grealish for a season.
“Which team’s going to do that? It might be Everton. Maybe Spurs now given the Maddison situation.
“The only complexity is whether you’re going to pay a loan fee, whether you can pay his wages and what’s your total offer to City.”
Everton plan move to sign Norwich star
In terms of another potential incoming, Football Insider revealed on 9 August Everton are plotting a move for Kellen Fisher following his performances for Norwich City.
The 21-year-old registered four assists in 41 appearances for the Canaries last season and is now on the radar of a Toffees side in the midst of a full-scale overhaul under Moyes.
Fisher is capable of playing at left-back and in central midfield, but he is most comfortable at right-back.
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