Tottenham miss out on Manchester City midfielder despite player being ‘very much open’

Tottenham Hotspur’s search for creative reinforcements has suffered another setback, with Jack Grealish opting for a surprise loan move to Everton despite showing initial interest in a switch to North London.

The Manchester City outcast was reportedly “very much open” to joining Spurs following James Maddison’s injury, but the club’s hesitation has allowed the Toffees to swoop in and secure his services.

The 29-year-old England international emerged as a genuine target for Tottenham after Maddison suffered a long-term injury in preseason.

Spurs sporting director Johan Lange had already established contact with Grealish’s representatives during the January window, laying groundwork for a potential summer move.

With Champions League football on offer and the allure of London living, all signs pointed toward a logical fit for both parties.

However, Tottenham’s reluctance to meet Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wage demands ultimately derailed negotiations.

While the creative midfielder was keen to maintain top-level football ahead of next summer’s World Cup, Spurs hesitated to pull the trigger on an official bid. This indecision opened the door for Everton, who have now agreed to a season-long loan deal with Manchester City.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the shock development, stating: “Jack Grealish to Everton, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Manchester City, with medical tests scheduled for today. Grealish has bought into Everton’s project and will complete the move within 24 hours.”

For Tottenham, this represents another frustrating miss in their efforts to bolster attacking options. Grealish’s versatility capable of playing as a traditional winger or drifting centrally as a playmaker would have provided Thomas Frank with much-needed cover for Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

His Premier League experience and technical quality could have been transformative for a Spurs side looking to improve on last season’s dismal domestic campaign.

Instead, Everton have pulled off a coup, landing a player who, despite falling out of favor under Pep Guardiola, remains one of England’s most gifted technicians.

For Grealish, Goodison Park offers a platform to rediscover his best form ahead of the World Cup, even if it means sacrificing European football this season.

As for Tottenham, the search for midfield creativity continues. With the transfer window ticking down, Lange and Frank must now turn their attention to alternative targets hopefully with more conviction than they showed in the Grealish pursuit.