Everton have opened talks with Manchester City over Jack Grealish, while Fenerbahce have been knocked back with an ambitious move for the England international, Mail Sport understands.
In June, we revealed how the Merseyside club were monitoring the situation with the former Aston Villa man, who would become a marquee signing as they mark their move to a new stadium.
Now, an approach has been made over the possibility of a season-long loan switch for Grealish, who is thought to be on around £300,000-a-week at City.
It can also be disclosed that an offer from the Turkish giants, managed by Jose Mourinho, has already been knocked back as the player weighs up his options.
Those with knowledge of the season believe a move may not materialise until late in the window, given the belief that a number of clubs who are interested are yet to come forward.
Should they manage to do so, persuading Grealish to make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock would be seen as a major play for Everton’s new owners, the Friedkin Group.
Jack Grealish has rejected an offer from Fenerbahce but could be open to joining Everton
Fenerbahce, managed by former Man United boss Jose Mourinho, failed to tempt Grealish
Manager David Moyes is known to be an admirer of the 29-year-old winger, branding him ‘probably the best player in the Premier League at this time,’ in 2021.
Interest is likely to come from both home and abroad. Grealish has been told he can leave and was excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad. He is keen to force his way back into the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Bayern Munich are known to be admirers, along with Newcastle United, although Toon manager Eddie Howe is not a fan of loans.
Grealish arrived at City for a then-British record £100m in 2021, and his contract does not expire until 2027.
During his time at the Etihad Stadium he has won the Premier League three times and a Champions League. Despite making 94 top flight appearances, he has fallen out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola. Last season, he made just seven Premier League starts and was an unused substitute in City’s FA Cup Final loss to Crystal Palace.
Grealish did not feature in City’s first friendly of pre-season and is highly likely to miss the weekend trip to Palermo ahead of his likely move away.
He is thought to have been at the City Football Academy on Saturday as Pep Guardiola fielded two different line ups during a slender 1-0 victory over Preston North End in a behind closed doors match.
But the 29-year-old was not used by Guardiola, whose side finish their preparations for the new campaign in Sicily on Saturday.
But Everton boss David Moyes is hopeful of bringing the former £100m man to Goodison Park
Grealish was cheered by fans at an open training session on Tuesday but he looks set to leave
Grealish is not expected to be on the plane for that fixture against their sister club as Everton try to complete a deal.
Negotiations will centre on the wage percentage on offer by Everton. Napoli, who landed Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer, have also shown interest.
Grealish was not taken to the Club World Cup in June and has since been weighing up whether fighting for a space in what is now a congested City squad is a better option than departing.
But that Guardiola opted against playing him in Saturday’s friendly indicates that the dial has not moved. Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush have all been utilised in the wide left position. James McAtee – whose main suitors are now Nottingham Forest, who have seen a £25million bid rejected amid interest from the Bundesliga – was also unused.
Grealish remains a hugely popular figure around City, receiving huge adulation when emerging for an open training session at the club’s academy stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The £100m man requires consistent game time if he is to force a way back into the England squad ahead of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel has held talks with the former Aston Villa captain in recent months but has not selected him for an international squad since taking the reins earlier in the year.
Temporary boss Lee Carsley had handed Grealish a recall in the autumn after his omission from last summer’s European Championship team. Grealish publicly disagreed with Gareth Southgate’s decision not to take him to Germany as England reached the final.