Sports
Everton targeting Grealish 2.0 who’s the “most exciting player in England”
Despite getting sent off in his most recent game, Jack Grealish has impressed during his six months at Everton so far.
The Toffees winger joined on loan from Manchester City in the summer with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
So far, his time on Merseyside has seen him contribute with goals and assists, and form a strong bond with David Moyes and the Everton faithful.
He has eight goals and assists so far, operating as a left-winger, and even set up the first two goals at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
With that in mind, it might not be a surprise to learn the club are hoping to repeat the signing of Grealish this winter.
Everton targeting Premier League sensation
Perhaps it is a coincidence, or maybe it is a transfer policy the club are looking to employ, but Everton are seemingly ready to launch bids for a few players from the Big Six.
Arsenal star Ben White is someone they have been linked with in recent days. However, the England international is not the only Gunners player that Everton are targeting.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube Channel, they “have taken a look” at signing talented Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri.
This would seemingly only be a loan deal until the end of the season, so Everton may only have to cover, at least in part, the teenager’s £80k per week wages.
They will face tough competition for his signature within the Premier League. Londoners Fulham are keen, and Sunderland have also shown interest.
Why Nwaneri would be another Grealish
Despite being just 18 years of age, Nwaneri is already quite an experienced campaigner, having made his debut all the way back in the 2022/23 campaign.
Back then, Granit Xhaka called him a “very special” player, and he has certainly impressed at Arsenal since.
The London-born attacker, who can operate in multiple positions, including as a number ten and on the right flank, has already played 51 times for the Gunners.
He’s chipped in with ten goals and two assists in that time, with 11 of those goal involvements coming last term.
Things have been far from easy for the teenager in 2025/26, though. The signing of Eberechi Eze has restricted his game time, playing just 515 minutes across 12 games.
He has bagged one goal, against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.
If Everton were to bring him in on loan, they’d surely be able to platform him better. The underlying numbers from last term show how talented Nwaneri is, averaging 1.7 chances created and 3.8 take-ons completed per 90 minutes.
That is too talented a player not to give an opportunity to, and the Merseysiders could do just that, with TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole even lauding him as the “most exciting footballer in England” last year.
|
Nwaneri – 24/25 PL stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Number |
|
Goals & assists |
0.8 |
|
Chances created |
1.7 |
|
Passes completed (opp. half) |
28.2 |
|
Forward passes |
5.9 |
|
Take-ons completed |
3.8 |
|
Duels won |
5.8 |
|
Ball recoveries |
3.5 |
|
Stats from Squawka |
|
The potential signing of the Gunners teenager is certainly reminiscent of the deal to bring Grealish to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer.
Like Nwaneri, the Toffees’ number 18 was also a winger at a Big Six club struggling to get regular game time. Of course, he’s at the opposite end of his career, but the situation is similar.
Since joining Everton, the former Aston Villa star has been platformed superbly by Moyes and has since gone on to become a key player for the club.
This is something Nwaneri could do with, and, judging by how Grealish’s time at the club has gone, it is easy to imagine him having similar success.
Ultimately, the Arsenal teenager needs to be playing more regular football at a crucial stage in his career. Everton have been proven to give high-profile loans a new home, and Nwaneri could be the next beneficiary in a similar sort of move.
Everton hold talks over signing new striker who’s better than Barry
Everton have been contacted about a deal to sign a striker who would be an upgrade on Thierno Barry.
