Jack Grealish's future at Manchester City is in doubt as the winger looks set to be left out of the squad for the Club World Cup in the United States this month
Former Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish pictured after Manchester City lost the FA Cup final
Former Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish pictured after Manchester City lost the FA Cup final
Jack Grealish and Manchester City could be set to part ways, as transfer rumours intensify ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Despite making 32 appearances across all competitions this season for the Blues, scoring three goals and providing five assists, Grealish found the back of the net only once in the Premier League, with many of his outings coming off the bench. His departure from Aston Villa for £100m in 2021 set his boyhood club up for the long run.
While he has managed to win all that domestic football has to offer in the north west, Grealish's time at City has been fizzling out. From the start of 2025, he was frequently an unused substitute under Pep Guardiola, fuelling talk that he might exit come summer.
Here at Birmingham Live we have taken a look at what the future could hold for Grealish.
Guardiola's Grealish opinion
In a post-match press conference at Craven Cottage, Guardiola seemingly hinted that leaving City might serve everyone best. "Of course Jack has to play," he explained.
"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, and that's with us, or another place. And that's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club.
"If he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one to make a contribution, but not today."
What Grealish really thinks
A clearly annoyed Grealish responded to scrutiny on social media following ex-Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor's assertion on talkSPORT that Guardiola's apparent snub this season was 'personal'. In response to a claim that he hadn't been on top form recently, Grealish hit back: "Haha I've been bad lately?"
In a cheeky retort, he added: "Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x." And addressing Agbonlahor's remarks directly, Grealish fired back: "What u want me to do, score a hatty (hat-trick) in 20 (minutes)?"
City future hangs in balance
The future of where Grealish will play remains up in the air, but what seems certain is that his next destination won't be across the pond this month. It is being reported that Grealish might not make the City squad for the Club World Cup and, should that happen, his departure from City looks all but sealed.
Rumours suggest Everton and Tottenham Hotspur could be vying for his signature. A return to Villa Park, at this stage, looks unlikely though.