Everton Eye Double Swoop for Man Utd Duo as Grealish Factor Comes into Play
Rumors abound about Everton targeting Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee in a January double swoop. The Toffees are banking on the influence of Jack Grealish, currently on loan from Manchester City, to entice the duo to Hill Dickinson Stadium despite potential complexity and high costs.
Everton are reportedly eyeing a double January swoop for out-of-favour Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee. While a move for the pair will be difficult and potentially expensive, the Toffees are hoping that Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish could be part of the club's sales pitch to bring them to Hill Dickinson Stadium next month.Everton spent around €130 million (£113m) on transfers over the summer, including big-money deals for Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry. The duo have failed to fire for the Toffees to date and David Moyes' side are currently not being helped by injuries to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite, while Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye are representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite being a bit thin on the ground, manager Moyes isn't expecting a busy January window. Before their goalless draw with Burnley at the weekend, the Scot said: "I think in all the press conferences I've been in, I've always said I don't think we'll be doing loads of business in January. If we find some players, we'll be delighted to do it and the CEO will be as well, and the owners, if we can do it. But I think it’s more to do with trying to have a plan where the ownership want us to have a plan and want us to prepare and do everything in a certain fashion. So, I don't think it will be coming up with a load of quick fixes. That's the way it's moving and some of the differences are taking place at Everton at the moment."According to The I Paper, Everton are looking at January loan options, with Moyes' team showing an interest in United midfielder Mainoo and forward Zirkzee. The report adds that deals for either would be 'complex and expensive' and the Red Devils are undecided about whether to let either go. Moreover, Grealish's decision to join Everton loan could be a big part of the club's sales pitch to secure high-profile players in the future.A source told the publication: "He’s [Grealish] the one who has opened doors for Everton and it wouldn’t surprise me if others follow him. The reality is this was always a multiple window strategy to get us where we want to be. If something comes up we’ll be ready to do it but we won’t just invest for the sake of it."Grealish is reportedly keen to turn his Everton loan into a permanent deal in 2026 after falling out of favour at Pep Guardiola's team.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!While Mainoo has not had much of a look-in at United this season, leading to talk of an Old Trafford exit, head coach Ruben Amorim believes the 20-year-old is the "future" of the Premier League giants. He said last week, "Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity, he has all the time. He played in different positions - we talked about the position of Casemiro, he can do that. If you play with a three, he can play like we did in the last game with the position of Mason Mount, he can play there. He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days."Meanwhile, Zirkzee has been linked with a Serie A return, but Amorim insisted United were "short" on numbers and that may make January departures unlikely."It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution," the 40-year-old said. "We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen. We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingBoth Everton and United will hope to end 2025 on a positive note as the former travel to lowly Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, whereas the Red Devils entertain Premier League basement side Wolves on the same night.
Exploring Everton's Transfer Strategy
Having spent significantly on transfers during the summer, including bringing in Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry, Everton is looking to bolster their squad further in January. With injuries and absences affecting key players, the club is considering potential loan deals to strengthen the team.
Moyes on Everton's January Plans
While David Moyes downplays expectations for a busy January window, Everton's reported interest in Mainoo and Zirkzee suggests otherwise. The club is looking to build a solid long-term plan rather than opting for quick fixes, aligning with the ownership's strategic direction.
The Grealish Factor
Jack Grealish's role as a key influencer in Everton's potential recruitments cannot be understated. His switch to Everton on loan has apparently paved the way for other high-profile players to consider a move to the club. The Toffees are aiming to use Grealish as a selling point in attracting top talent.
Assessment of Mainoo and Zirkzee
Mainoo and Zirkzee find themselves in different situations at Manchester United, with Mainoo viewed as a promising talent by coach Ruben Amorim. While United may face challenges in letting them go due to squad depth issues, Everton's compelling vision for the future could sway the duo's decisions.
Outcomes for Everton and United
As Everton and Manchester United gear up for crucial matches to close out 2025, the potential transfer saga involving Mainoo and Zirkzee adds an intriguing layer to their respective seasons. Both clubs will be hoping for positive outcomes on the field as well as in the transfer market.




