Grealish returns for Manchester City, but his future stays unresolved

Jack Grealish has started the new season back in Manchester City's matchday squad, yet nobody at the club is willing to guarantee he will still be on the books once the transfer window shuts on 1 September. The winger, who spent last season on loan at Everton, has rediscovered his form and Enzo Maresca's trust, but questions over his contract and long-term role leave every option on the table.

• Grealish has come off the bench in both of Manchester City's opening fixtures this season.
• He is entering the final year of his contract, reportedly worth £300,000 a week.
• Pep Guardiola pushed him out of his plans last season, sending him on loan to Everton, where an Achilles injury cut his campaign short in January.
• Everton say they remain interested but have made no concrete offer so far.
• Maresca has left every scenario open — staying, going out on loan again, or a permanent exit before the deadline.

How Grealish worked his way back into City's squad

The 30-year-old rejoined pre-season training in mid-July but missed City's tour of the Far East after a fresh injury setback. Since recovering, he has steadily built his fitness and earned a place in the squad for both of City's opening fixtures — the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and the dramatic late comeback win over Bournemouth in the Premier League opener, where he played the final eight minutes. Afterwards, Grealish took to social media to thank the Etihad crowd for their reception on his first appearance back on home turf.

What options City are weighing up for his future

With just a week left before the transfer window closes, sources close to the club say no firm offers have come in for Grealish this summer. That leaves three realistic paths: staying at the Etihad as part of Maresca's squad depth, moving out on loan again to find regular football, or a permanent transfer if a suitable offer materialises before deadline day.

Why Everton remain part of the conversation

Grealish's spell at Hill Dickinson Stadium left a strong impression on Merseyside. Before his injury, he contributed two goals and six assists in 20 appearances, form good enough to earn him the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August and win over the home crowd almost instantly. He even chose to complete his injury rehabilitation at Everton rather than return to Manchester, a decision the Toffees see as a sign of genuine affection built during the loan. Still, Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear has been careful to stress that Grealish remains City's player, and that any next step depends on talks between the two clubs.

What Maresca has said about Grealish's role

The City head coach has avoided committing to any outcome, focusing instead on getting the best out of Grealish while he remains part of the squad. His comments suggest the final call may hinge on how the rest of City's business shapes up in the closing days of the window, with several other situations still unresolved.

"He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best. Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens - not only with Jack but also other players," said Enzo Maresca.

What this saga means for the closing days of the window

Grealish's situation captures the usual late-window tension: a high-profile player, an expensive contract heading into its final year, and a club willing to wait rather than rush a decision. For City, keeping him without European football would be a costly use of squad space and wages; for Grealish, finding regular minutes elsewhere could matter for his England prospects. Everton, meanwhile, have both footballing and emotional reasons to explore another loan or a permanent deal, even as they acknowledge the final decision isn't entirely theirs to make.