Jack Grealish set for Everton return on season-long loan
Liverpool, 1 September 2026
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is poised to rejoin Everton on a season-long loan, returning to the club where a foot injury cut short his previous spell.
A Welcome Return to Goodison Park
The 30-year-old playmaker agreed to the season-long loan deal on 30 August 2026, choosing a return to Merseyside despite a previous loan offer from Sunderland [2]. Grealish is scheduled to undergo his medical examination on Tuesday morning, 1 September 2026, ahead of the 23:00 BST transfer deadline [1][2]. The transfer represents a significant chapter for a player who initially joined Manchester City in August 2021 for a then-British record fee of £100m, subsequently making 159 appearances, scoring 17 goals, and providing 23 assists for the reigning champions [2].
Unfinished Business on Merseyside
Grealish’s return to Goodison Park is fueled by a desire to complete what he started. During his loan spell with Everton last season, he made 22 appearances, scoring two goals and delivering six assists [2]. However, his promising campaign was cut short in January 2026 when he suffered a severe foot stress fracture [1][2]. His willingness to return to the club to rebuild his form has been met with widespread acclaim from fans and club officials alike, with Everton Chief Executive Angus Kinnear having remained in close contact with the player’s camp [1].
Global Inspiration in Kakuma and Kalobeyei
This high-profile Premier League move has resonated far beyond the UK, sparking immense excitement and serving as a massive talking point within the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Kenya [GPT]. In these vibrant communities, football is more than just a game; it is a powerful vehicle for hope, unity, and social cohesion [GPT]. The resilience shown by Grealish in overcoming a career-threatening foot injury to play at the highest level once again serves as a profound source of inspiration for young refugee athletes striving to overcome their own immense challenges [GPT].
Celebrating Resilience and Community Spirit
Local football fans and community leaders in Kakuma have expressed their joy at the transfer, noting how the spirit of cooperation between the clubs mirrors the collaborative community initiatives in the settlements [GPT]. Viewing centres across Kalobeyei are expected to be packed to capacity as supporters gather to watch Grealish’s return to action [GPT]. For these fans, the determination of a world-class athlete to rebuild his career embodies the very perseverance they celebrate daily in their local sports leagues, which promote peace and mutual support among diverse groups [GPT].
Strategic Reshaping of the Everton Squad
Grealish’s loan deal is part of a broader, highly active transfer window for Everton, negotiated independently of other major player movements [4]. The club has seen significant squad rotation, including the departure of 28-year-old striker Beto to Fiorentina for £14.58m, which was balanced by the arrival of Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon for £3m [1]. This transaction alone represents a net surplus of £11.58m, calculated as 11.58 million, providing valuable financial flexibility [1]. Simultaneously, Manchester City has reached an agreement in principle to sign Everton’s 26-year-old Iliman Ndiaye for a reported £65m [1][2].
A Thrilling Deadline Day Ahead
As the transfer window draws to a close on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, Everton’s management continues to work tirelessly to strengthen the squad [1]. The club is actively pursuing a £40m deal for Monaco’s Folarin Balogun and negotiating a potential move for Nathan Patterson to Torino [1]. Additionally, a proposed £9.4m transfer for Fulham’s Kenny Tete remains on the table, contingent on the London club securing a suitable replacement [1]. These ambitious moves reflect a club determined to support Grealish with a competitive squad capable of challenging at the highest level [GPT].