Jack Grealish remains in Everton contact after Man City return

Jack Grealish has remained in contact with Everton following the end of his loan spell, with chief executive Angus Kinnear revealing the Manchester City winger developed a strong connection with the club.

Grealish made 22 appearances for Everton last season before a serious foot injury brought his campaign to a premature end and damaged his hopes of making England's World Cup squad.

He is now back at Manchester City, but Kinnear's comments suggest the relationship between Grealish and Everton has remained intact.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Kinnear confirmed Everton have continued communicating with the 30-year-old since his return to City.

"Jack is a player we've remained in contact with," he said.

Kinnear highlighted Grealish's decision to complete his rehabilitation at Everton even though he was not obliged to do so, joking that the winger had "fallen in love with the right shade of blue".

Any potential reunion remains complicated by his Manchester City status.

Grealish demonstrated his recovery when he came off the bench at half-time during City's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, giving him competitive minutes after the injury problems which disrupted his time at Everton.

Kinnear stressed that the priority for now is Grealish returning to full fitness rather than discussing what could happen next.

Everton's more immediate transfer priority remains finding a long-term right-back following Seamus Coleman's departure.

The Toffees will begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on Saturday without the specialist right-back they want, but Kinnear insists the club will not make a signing simply to fill the position.

"We won't have a right-back for Palace but it's important we have the number one right-back we wanted when the window closes," he said.

Centre-back Jake O'Brien and midfielders James Garner and Merlin Röhl have all been used in the position, while Nathan Patterson remains out of favour.

Crystal Palace's Daniel Muñoz and Fulham defender Timothy Castagne have been linked, although concerns around price and suitability mean Everton have yet to make their move.

The club's position is therefore clear: securing their preferred long-term option takes priority over having a new player available immediately.

Right-back is not Everton's only concern before the transfer deadline.

Manager David Moyes has acknowledged that considerable work remains, saying Everton are "still needing quite a few players" as they attempt to strengthen the squad.

Kinnear also confirmed that discussions over a new contract for Moyes have not yet taken place. His current agreement expires next summer, but the manager wants the club's focus to remain on recruitment while the transfer window is open.

That leaves Everton with several important decisions to make, including whether their continued relationship with Grealish can eventually develop into another transfer opportunity.

Everton's immediate attention will remain on recruitment, particularly their unresolved search for a right-back, rather than Moyes' contract situation.

Grealish is once again a Manchester City player and Everton have not confirmed a new move for him. The continued contact does, however, leave an intriguing relationship in place should his situation at City change before the transfer deadline.

Should Everton explore bringing Jack Grealish back permanently, or should their remaining transfer budget be focused elsewhere? Have your say.