Grealish keen on Everton, Man City look at Ndiaye

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 BBC 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 BBC 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.

Everton manager David Moyes would be very reluctant to lose Ndiaye, arguably his most creative player, but the Senegalese forward is known to want Champions League football and has rejected multiple offers to extend his current contract.

Moyes has made it clear he wants more quality in his squad, and while the sale of Ndiaye would be a huge blow, the potential return of Grealish may soften the blow.

Grealish was popular with Everton supporters but was sidelined from January with a stress fracture of the foot.

Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed in an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside that they had "remained in contact" with Grealish.

He said: "It's no secret he decided to have his rehabilitation here for the rest of the season when he didn't have to do that. He could have gone back to Manchester City.

"I think he is a player who has fallen in love with the right shade of blue but ultimately he is Manchester City player and we have to respect that."

Kinnear added: "We, the supporters and the team embraced him and treated him as if he was one of our own and gives us a very good platform to have a longer term conversation with him."