Jack Grealish became the country's most expensive ever player when he joined Manchester City in 2021, yet the 29-year-old now faces the axe from the Etihad with several clubs lining up for the England star
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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
(Image: 2025 Allstar)
Manchester City will consider offers for record signing Jack Grealish this summer, but it's likely that the England star will have to leave the Etihad on loan, it has been claimed.
Grealish is under contract at the Etihad until 2027 and his hefty wages mean any permanent exit this summer will not be an easy deal to pull off. However, it's believed the player is eager to leave the club in a bid for regular first team football, while he also aims to make Thomas Tuchel's England squad for next summer's World Cup.
While City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is hopeful of securing a significant chunk of the £100million City spent to bring Grealish to Eastlands, it's more likely he will have to settle for a season-long loan deal, according to the Daily Star. With Pep Guardiola also seemingly happy to offload the player, it's thought that City will end up subsidising a significant amount of Grealish's wages, wherever he goes.
Such an attractive proposition will no doubt mean that the three-time Premier League winner will not be short of suitors. Grealish's former club Aston Villa could show an interest with Unai Emery looking to bolster his midfield after earning Europa League football for next season.
Newcastle were also reportedly circling the talented attacking midfielder. However the Manchester Evening News understands the Magpies are not currently interested in pursuing a move for Grealish given the options they possess in his position, as well as financial concerns.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City speaks with Jack Grealish of Manchester City after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City speaks with Jack Grealish of Manchester City after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Champions League semi-finalists Barcelona have also been rumoured to have an interest in the 29-year-old. Nottingham Forest are perhaps a viable option with European football on offer. Everton, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur could also be potential homes for Grealish.
In a left-field move, the Saudi Pro League is another possibility, with Grealish perhaps encouraged by Ivan Toney's success in the country and his subsequent England recall on the back of his club form for Al-Ahli.
Grealish has endured a miserable season with Guardiola's side. This culminated in him being axed from City's squad altogether for the final game of the season at Fulham last weekend.
Manchester City's Jack Grealish before the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Saturday March 8, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Forest. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Jack Grealish is reportedly looking to get back into the England squad
The attacking midfielder started just 20 league games and scored five goals throughout the campaign. Grealish joined City from Villa in 2021, becoming the most expensive signing in British football history.
While he played a big part in helping City capture a historic Treble in just his second season, he has played just 143 minutes in the Premier League since the new year. He also cut a forlorn figure on the bench during City's FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace
Nevertheless, City's Spanish boss has insisted he doesn't have a problem with Grealish. Asked about his omission on the final day of the season, Guardiola said: "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 next indicator of Grealish's standing in the squad will be at the Club World Cup, which gets under way for City on June 18.