At several intervals throughout the season, Everton supporters have been dreaming of Europe.

David Moyes has changed things on the blue half of Merseyside, but they've left something to be desired in that ambitious quest, trailing eighth-place Chelsea by three points with one match of the season still to play.

The improvements have been impressive, but the Toffees still lack that superstar punch power that would allow them to nestle into European contention.

It's something that Moyes hopes to change this summer, with John Stones among the Premier League heavyweights on an high-cost summer shopping list.

Everton exploring moves for Premier League superstars

Stones once played for Everton, but he left for Manchester City a decade ago. Now, with his contract at the Etihad set to expire, the 31-year-old has been linked with a return to Merseyside.

For those who might think Stones is finished, look only at Thomas Tuchel's England squad to note that he is still highly regarded by the best in the business.

The confidence and leadership he would instill at Moyes' Everton cannot be understated, especially when considering his tactical intelligence and skill on the ball.

However, it would be a risk. Stones's injury record is woeful, and his wages would place him at the very top of the Toffees bill.

If Everton need to be careful in dishing out new contracts this summer, would it not be wiser to push for Jack Grealish instead? According to TEAMtalk, Everton are still exploring a move for the 30-year-old, who has spent the 2024/25 season at the Hill Dickinson.

It's understood that Grealish could be available for a cut-price £15m fee this summer, though it's important to remember that his wages will mark a significant financial outlay, Everton paying £225k of his weekly Manchester City salary this season.

Even so, Grealish would be a statement signing, maybe even a bigger coup than Stones.

Why Grealish could be a bigger coup than Stones for Everton

Grealish has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since swapping City for a different shade of blue, with pundit Theo Walcott noting that his flair had been "coached out of him" under Pep Guardiola.

With Stones, Everton aren't going to quite know what to expect. He is one of the most talented defenders of his generation, but he is also a shell of his topmost self.

Conversely, Grealish has already dazzled in an Everton shirt, and while he too has missed a large portion of the campaign due to injury, it was only a matter of months ago that he was shining under Moyes' wing, instrumental in guiding this club away from the relegation fodder and into a promising position once again.

Hailed for playing "magical" football in attack by analyst Umir Ifran, Grealish showed Evertonians what he can do in the early knockings of the season, and now, he could cement his legacy on Merseyside by spearheading the Moyes project as a permanent feature.

Given that Stones has only started four times in the Premier League this season, with severe injury issues that suggest he may no longer be able to withstand the intensity and rigorousness of the English game, surely Grealish would be the better signing.

Everton need more mavericks in attack. Moyes has steered them away from the relegation zone, but the Blues cannot truly kick on and enter more prominent conversations without some vim and vigour in attack.

Grealish, it would seem, could be the key to making that happen.