Former Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is reportedly set to leave Manchester City this summer, with Pep Guardiola's side willing to offload the England midfielder
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Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish is reportedly set to leave Manchester City this summer
(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Manchester City are reportedly open to offers for former Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer.
In 2021, Grealish joined Man City from Villa for £100million, then a British record transfer fee. He is contracted to City until 2027, and his substantial wages could make any permanent exit this summer a challenging deal to negotiate.
Yet, it is claimed that Grealish is keen to leave the club in pursuit of regular first team football and to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for next year's World Cup. City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak hopes to recoup a significant portion of Grealish's transfer fee. However, according to the Daily Star, he will likely have to settle for a season-long loan deal.
With Pep Guardiola seemingly content to let the player go, it's believed that City will subsidise a large part of Grealish's wages, wherever he ends up. Such an enticing prospect will undoubtedly mean the three-time Premier League winner will not be short of potential suitors.
Villa have already been tentatively linked with a move for Grealish, and a loan deal would represent a similar move to the one that brought Marcus Rashford to Villa Park. Unai Emery will undoubtedly be busy in the transfer market this summer. Still, it remains to be seen whether the Villa boss feels Grealish would be a good signing for his squad ahead of their Europa League campaign.
Aside from possibly returning to his boyhood club, Grealish is also reportedly attracting interest from elsewhere. Newcastle United were among the previous admirers of the 29-year-old.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish arguably played his best football at Aston Villa(Image: CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
However, the Manchester Evening News has stated that the Magpies are not currently considering a move for Grealish due to the options they already have in his position, as well as financial considerations.
Barcelona, who reached the Champions League semi-finals, are reportedly keen on the City midfielder. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest could be an attractive choice for him with the prospect of European football. Meanwhile, Everton, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have all been rumoured as potential destinations.
Looking further afield, the Saudi Pro League could be another option. Grealish could take inspiration from Ivan Toney's impressive stint in Saudi Arabia, which led to an England call-up due to his performances for Al-Ahli.
Grealish endured a tough season at City this term, culminating in his omission from the squad for their last match of the season against Fulham. The forward managed only 20 league appearances, with one goal and assist apiece. It is a far cry from the player who previously lit up the Premier League as Villa skipper and convinced City to break their transfer record.
Jack Grealish has spent the second half of the season on Manchester City's bench
Jack Grealish has spent the second half of the season on Manchester City's bench
Despite playing a significant role in City's Treble triumph in 2023, Grealish saw just 143 minutes of Premier League action since January and was an unused substitute during City's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
However, Guardiola has maintained there is no issue with Grealish, stating: "It's nothing personal with Jack. I am the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season.
"Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it - with us or another place. It's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club." The Club World Cup, which starts for City on June 18, will provide the next insight into Grealish's place in the pecking order