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Jack Grealish' is on the verge of leaving Manchester City for a season-long loan to Everton, and one of the winger's "best friends" has had his say on the deal
Former Aston Villa captain Micah Richards has laid bare his verdict on Jack Grealish's projected summer move to Everton. The Manchester City misfit is reportedly due to undergo a medical on Monday ahead of a season-long loan on Merseyside.
Grealish, 29, has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium but fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola last season. The England winger, who joined City from Villa for £100million four years ago, scored three goals and recorded five assists in 32 appearances under Guardiola last term, though only half of those were starts.
David Moyes' side have been locked in talks over a potential loan move for the player before The Sun reported a breakthrough was made on Monday. It was feared Grealish's £300,000-a-week salary could make it too difficult to pull off a deal, though Richards confirmed ahead of time Everton's interest in the player was genuine.
"I've heard that the Grealish news is real," he said on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast while discussing Everton and Moyes' prospects for the upcoming campaign. "And if they get Grealish, I think [they'll] be devastating."
Richards, who spent the final four years of his career at Villa before retiring in 2019, went on to predict a top-10 league finish for the Toffees. However, adding ex-Villa talisman Grealish to the squad would certainly enhance those chances.
It's evident the Birmingham-born duo grew close during those four years as team-mates despite an eight-year age gap. And Richards has in the past spoken about the difficulty he faces commenting on his pal's career.
"It's always a bit difficult for me because I'm one of his best friends," he said on The Rest Is Football back in 2023 when Grealish was facing scrutiny over the fee City paid to secure his services. "So I only speak from the heart a little bit.
"Put that to the side for a minute, apart from goals and assists, what does he need to do in his game, to go to that next level where people stop questioning his £100million price tag?"
Grealish dropped down Guardiola's pecking order following the arrival of players like Jeremy Doku and Savinho in the last couple of seasons. He may not be the only winger leaving City following reports of Tottenham's interest in Savinho, although it appears likely the Brazilian will remain with City.
The Englishman's most prominent campaign came during the treble-winning season of 2022/23, but he has since found it a struggle to lock down starting minutes. That competition for places has been complicated further by the addition of Rayan Cherki, who arrived from Lyon this summer.
The player could still have a lot to offer in England's top flight, especially at a club like Everton where he could regain his hero status. The Toffees have improved their attacking options this summer with the addition of Thierno Barry from Villarreal, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has joined in a £25m move from Chelsea.
Moyes led the Merseysiders to a 13th-place Premier League finish last term, returning to the club in January when he replaced Sean Dyche. However, the Scot will be desperate to progress up the ranks following his first full summer back at Everton since 2012.
Richards is under no illusions that Grealish would immediately improve the Toffees squad if he does sign as expected. And it appears the move may now be in its final phases provided the two clubs can come to terms over structuring his salary.
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