Everton have come on leaps and bounds under the management of David Moyes - again.

Surely one of the greatest Premier League managers of all time, Moyes has lifted Everton away from their yearly relegation fears and into unfamiliar territory: pushing for a ticket onto the European train.

It doesn't look like the Toffees have done quite enough to secure a place in next Europe's second or third-string continental tournaments, but the progress has still been remarkable, offering a platform from which the Friedkin Group can continue to build.

They will need elite quality to propel them even further up the table, though, and that's without considering the stress that will go into securing Jack Grealish's signature on a permanent basis.

Everton closing in on Premier League star

Grealish will return to Manchester City when his loan spell at Everton expires at the end of the season. However, the 30-year-old is still recovering from a foot operation, the injury sustained against Aston Villa.

It's unlikely that the England star will feature again this season, but the Merseysiders are trying to secure his services for good, albeit with PSR still hanging over the Hill Dickinson like a shadow.

However, Sports Boom believe that a number of big moves could be completed this summer, with outgoing Manchester City defender John Stones closing on a return to the club who he left for City in a £47m deal back in 2016.

Newcastle, Bournemouth and Coventry have also registered their interest, so this is one that the Blues need to get over the line quickly, for Stones is a man in demand and not so beholden to Everton that he would reject all other advances.

Why Stones could be Everton's next Grealish

Stones has enjoyed an incredible career under Pep Guardiola's wing at Manchester City, but now, as he approaches the twilight of his Premier League career, a return to Merseyside to join Moyes' Everton could be a great move for all parties.

While some would argue that the 31-year-old, who has a poor record on the fitness front, would be a imprudent signing, given his high wages, there's every reason that he could resurrect his Premier League career under Moyes' wing at Everton, just as Grealish had done this year before his setback.

Grealish had fallen to the periphery over his last two years at the Etihad Stadium, but across only 18 starts for Everton, he scored twice and provided six assists, creating two chances and winning 5.3 duels on average each game.

Stones, who was widely regarded as a "world-class" player during his Citizen heyday, as noted by Three Lions teammate Ezri Konsa, is noew a veteran, but with age comes wisdom, and his presence at the back could strengthen the defence while providing mentorship to the young and talented Jarrad Branthwaite.

Grealish and Iliman Nidaye were forging a "great" partnership on the flanks this year, as Ndiaye said himself, with the flashy Senegalese winger drawing from his partner's experience.

Now, Moyes is looking to repeat the trick.

Stones' experience and leadership qualities, blended with so many years under Guardiola, make this the perfect move for Moyes' side to make (the financial side willing).

He could play with Grealish once again, and it could be the kind of deal that helps Everton even further up the Premier League table.