Grealish Everton transfer update as Maresca speaks out on returning City star

Grealish spent last season on loan at Everton and scored two, late match-winning goals and added six assists before sustaining a stress fracture in his foot in the 1-0 win at his former club Aston Villa in January.

That ruled the England international out of the rest of the campaign but he remained at the Blues' Finch Farm training base until his loan officially expired last month.

Grealish is now continuing his recovery at his parent club City, where he is moving closer to a return to full training.

And the 30-year-old is now working with a new manager at the Etihad - but it's a manager he knows well.

Maresca was previously assistant to Pep Guardiola. But after spells in charge of Leicester City and Chelsea, Maresca has now taken over the top City job from the departed Guardiola.

And speaking at his first press conference in the role, the Italian said of Grealish: "At the moment, he's here. He's a Man City player.

"I always said the same. In any club I join, I like to know if there are players that belong to the club. It's my duty to try to coach them.

"Jack is here. I have a good relation with Jack since I left. Also, we keep in touch, and the reason why is because he has a big heart and he's a very good guy. So this is the reason why.

"And then we see what happens."

There is a desire at Everton - and they believe on the side of the player - for Grealish to return to the club this season.

But first the playmaker needs to get back fit before any negotiations with City, who are said to prefer a permanent exit rather than another loan, take place.

The Liverpool ECHO's sister title, the Manchester Evening News, believe that it remains likely that Grealish has last played his last match for the FA Cup and League Cup holders.