Jack Grealish’s preference would be to return to Everton should he leave Manchester City in the remaining days of the transfer window, sources have told Sport.
And City hold an interest in signing Toffees winger Iliman Ndiaye, who has rejected multiple contract offers on Merseyside.
Grealish, 30, has appeared as a substitute in City’s opening two games of the season, but new boss Enzo Maresca is open to letting the Englishman leave the club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Grealish spent last season with the Toffees, scoring twice and providing six assists in 20 appearances, before sustaining a season-ending foot injury in January.
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear recently told Radio Merseyside the club have “remained in contact” with the player.
Grealish’s former club Aston Villa are also believed to still be interested in re-signing their ex-captain, but City sources say there have been no concrete offers from any club so far this summer.
Maresca said on Thursday: “Jack is here. Until the day he is, it my duty to try and help him to give us the best. In the next four, five days, we will see what happens. I speak with Jack almost every day.”
Nidaye, meanwhile, is a player City are looking at.
Saudi side Al-Hilal held a strong interest in signing the Senegal international this summer, but the 26-year-old reportedly turned down the move.
David Moyes’ side are under no pressure to sell Ndiaye, whose contract runs until 2029, and are likely to demand a significant fee in the region of £70m to even consider a sale.
Newly promoted Coventry City are in talks to sign City defender Stephen Mfuni on a season-long loan deal.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut in the FA Cup third round last season before making eight appearances on loan at Watford in the Championship.