Jack Grealish remains a Manchester City player after an injury-riddled loan spell at Everton but could make a dreamy transfer this summer
Jack Grealish of Everton acknowledges the fans with his family during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland
Jack Grealish could return to his boyhood club this summer(Image: Getty)
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Jack Grealish's future is uncertain as his loan spell with Everton comes to a close. But the Manchester City star has a fairytale transfer he can complete this summer.
The Englishman arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2021, penning a six-year deal and costing the club £100million. In his time in sky blue, he has won several major honours including three Premier League titles and the Champions League, but was never one of the first names on the teamsheet.
At the start of this season, he had fallen badly out of favour under Pep Guardiola and sought a move away, joining Everton on a year-long loan. Grealish started to look like the player of old on Merseyside, registering six assists in his first 22 games. Yet a stress fracture in his foot suffered in January sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
The 30-year-old now has a dilemma on his hands, with his loan spell ended and his future at City up in the air, despite Guardiola's departure. However, should he so wish, there is one option that has long been on the cards: an emotional and dreamy return to boyhood club Aston Villa.
Birmingham-born Grealish has been a Villa fan since birth, growing up in a family of die-hard supporters. He started his journey with the club aged six and progressed through their academy ranks.
Jack Grealish of Aston Villa
Grealish was nurtured in Villa's youth ranks(Image: Getty)
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He was named on the bench at the age of 16 and made his first-team debut in 2014 after a loan spell with Notts County. Grealish quickly became talismanic and was the star of Villa's promotion back to the Premier League in 2019 as captain.
City triggered his £100m release clause in 2021 and the money generated helped stabilise Villa, who won the Europa League last month under manager Unai Emery. When Grealish was sold, his message to the fans said it all.
"I'll always be a Villa fan," he admitted nearly five years ago. "I love this club with all my heart and I hope you understand my reasons for seeking a new challenge. The club are in great hands, the manager, the lads, the new signings coming in. It's an exciting time to be a Villa fan. I'll see you all again soon. Until next time. UTV."
Grealish's promise that he would see fans soon, of course, could have referred to his Villa Park comeback as a City player. But this can also be interpreted as a hint that he wanted to return to the club he so adores one day.
A Villa comeback now makes a lot of sense. The club have money to spend and could easily afford Grealish. They also have a Champions League campaign to play out next season and will need squad depth.
Jack Grealish of Manchester City and Matty Cash of Aston Villa embrace following the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City
The Englishman is likely to leave City in the summer(Image: Getty)
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Not to mention that Grealish looked inspired when he was fit at Everton and both Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho will soon make their Villa exits. Furthermore, if Morgan Rogers is sold, then an approach for Grealish appears a no-brainer.
The player's former team-mate Robert Snodgrass agrees with the notion that a fairytale return to the Midlands is something the 30-year-old should consider this summer.
He told OLBG: "Listen, it is certainly possible that there might be a few openings available at Villa, as they may be looking to bolster their ranks. You just never know what a club like that might be planning.
"When you look at the overall situation, I think Jack would absolutely love a return to that environment. It's well-documented that he is a die-hard Villa fan who is incredibly passionate about that club, so if the chance arose, you really have to think why not?"
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