Jack Grealish has been frozen out at Manchester City and could well be on his way out this summer, but the former Aston Villa captain is not exactly spoiled with options
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 20: Jack Grealish of Manchester City on the bench before the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish's future at Manchester City has become uncertain(Image: Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish's last appearance for Manchester City may well have been his brief cameo against Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old was brought on in the final moments of that victory, marking his 32nd appearance for City this season. However, starting opportunities have been scarce this term and Grealish was dropped from the squad entirely for the final day trip to Fulham.
This seemed like the last straw for his future at City. Pep Guardiola claimed Grealish's absence was because he had a squad that was close to being full and that he simply missed the cut-off point, alongside other stars like James McAtee, summer signing Abdukodir Khusanov and many more.
For Grealish, who was signed by City from Aston Villa for a then Premier League record breaking figure of £100million in the summer of 2021, it would be a disappointing end to his City career. He is contracted to the Etihad until 2027 and his hefty wages mean any departure this summer won't be straightforward.
Both the club and player seem ready to part ways but a permanent move is restricted to a relatively small number of clubs. In the Premier League, it's difficult to see many potential suitors. Birmingham Live takes a look at his current situation.
Aston Villa reality
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Jack Grealish of Manchester City and Matty Cash of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester City FC at Villa Park on December 21, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
A return to Aston Villa would likely be emotional for Grealish(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
A return to Aston Villa can't be discounted but that might be more wishful thinking than reality. After Unai Emery's side missed out on the Champions League, a permanent transfer could prove financially challenging.
A loan deal akin to Marcus Rashford's move from Manchester United to the Midlands might be more plausible, but Grealish does not appear to be the same player who brought Villa Park to his feet on a weekly basis, and Villa are a different unit under Emery, compared to the one he left behind.
Villa's days of either battling against relegation or trying to break the glass ceiling separating lower half teams from the top 10 have been a thing of the past since Emery took over. It's possible that Grealish may not even make Emery's staring XI or squad.
Newcastle United truth
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Jack Grealish of Manchester City runs ahead of Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester City FC at St James' Park on September 28, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Grealish has previously been linked with Newcastle United
Newcastle have been persistently linked with his signature in recent times. However, according to the Manchester Evening News, the Magpies are not currently keen on pursuing Grealish due to their existing options and his wage demands.
The Magpies already have the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes as options on the left-wing, while Alexander Isak has also impressed on the flanks in the past. Last year, Eddie Howe's side heavily pursued Crystal Palace central defender Marc Guehi, but were unsuccessful.
Considering their only central defensive reinforcement of the summer transfer window was the free transfer of Bournemouth central defender Lloyd Kelly, it's likely a central defender, instead of a winger like Grealish, is still at the top of their list.
Complex deal
Jack Grealish of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England
A move for Grealish could be expensive and complex
If Grealish is available on loan with part of his salary covered, numerous Premier League clubs would likely express interest. Nottingham Forest could be a feasible option, given their European football prospects, while Everton and West Ham might also take a look at the star.
Looking further afield, Serie A clubs have been scouting the Premier League for talent in recent transfer windows. AC Milan secured Kyle Walker on loan in January, while newly-crowned champions Napoli will be looking to bolster their squad this summer.
Meanwhile, the money-laden Saudi Pro League may also consider a big money move for his services. With Ivan Toney, who left Brentford to join Al-Ahli last summer, being called up for England, it's clear that a move to the Middle East would not put Thomas Tuchel off from calling a player up for the Three Lions. With this knowledge, Grealish may feel tempted to move to the division, if no other interesting Premier League or European projects catch his mind.