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Jack Grealish's is expected to leave Manchester City this summer
Jack Grealish's is expected to leave Manchester City this summer(Image: Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish is available for transfer this summer, but would a return to Aston Villa suit both parties?
At 29 years of age, and with two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, Grealish’s career is at a crossroads.
Since joining Manchester City from Villa for £100 million in the summer of 2021, Grealish has won seven trophies under Pep Guardiola, including the Champions League and three Premier League titles.
Despite playing a key role in City’s treble-winning season in 2022/23, the last two campaigns haven’t gone to plan for the former Villa skipper. He has started only 17 of City’s last 76 league games, making just 20 appearances in each seasons.
At Villa, Grealish didn't get a break - except when he was on the treatment table, often due to muscle fatigue, given the immense demands placed on him.
As the talisman under Dean Smith, Villa would not have been promoted to the Premier League - let alone stayed up - without him. Had he left following promotion, relegation might well have followed swiftly.
Manchester United came calling in 2021, but Grealish instead signed a new long-term deal with a £100 million release clause few expected would ever be met. Then, after a dazzling 2020/21 campaign - where he proved himself among the Premier League’s elite - City triggered the clause.
That season, Grealish recorded five goals and seven assists, but his influence ran far deeper. He led in advanced metrics such as ball carrying and chance creation.
With his game time limited last season, it’s hard to judge his full impact, but in the minutes he did play, flashes of the Grealish Villa fans remember still shone through.
In the Premier League, only City teammate Jérémy Doku recorded more progressive carries and carries into the penalty area per 90 minutes (among players who started more than one match). Grealish averaged 8.63 progressive carries and 5.75 carries into the penalty area per 90 minutes.
His natural ability to glide past players and evade challenges remains intact. Under Unai Emery, he could thrive once more.
If Grealish were to return, he’d likely play either off the left or in the number 10 role. Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn have primarily played off the left, while Marco Asensio made the number 10 position his own late in the season.
Villa can sign Asensio permanently for a fee of around £12–15 million, and the Spaniard is reportedly open to returning.
Whether Grealish is keen on a return to his boyhood club - where he spent 19 years after joining at age six - is still unclear.
One key debate among fans is whether it makes sense to bring back a 29-year-old on high wages who hasn’t been at his peak for some time.
But stripping away the emotional pull of Grealish’s connection to Villa overlooks the very reason why a return could work for everyone. His presence could galvanise the fan base and even the dressing room alike.
Winning a trophy with Villa was likely part of his dream when signing his last contract. Lifting silverware in claret and blue would surely mean more to him than most of what he’s won at City.
Villa, however, weren’t competing for trophies when he left. Even last season - with a talented squad and a trophy-winning manager - they couldn’t get over the line, falling to defeats against Crystal Palace and Olympiacos before that in the previous campaign.
Having lifted multiple trophies under Guardiola, Grealish would bring invaluable experience to a Villa side striving to end a long wait for silverware - something Emery has consistently emphasised.
At this early stage, there’s no indication whether Villa or Grealish are open to a reunion, and City are likely holding out for a transfer fee.
As the summer window progresses, Grealish’s value to City may diminish, potentially opening the door to a season-long loan. With just one year remaining on his contract next summer, a permanent exit could follow - possibly structured as an option-to-buy loan.
This arrangement would suit Villa, who must be cautious with spending, especially after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
While Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules require Villa to raise funds through player sales, UEFA’s squad cost ratio rules also limit spending. Clubs must maintain a wage-to-revenue ratio of 70% or lower, meaning City would need to cover a portion of Grealish’s wages in any loan.
In January, Monchi showed flexibility by securing Asensio, Marcus Rashford, and Axel Disasi on loan.
Commercially, signing Grealish could be hugely beneficial. He would almost certainly become the club’s best-selling shirt once again.
Critics often point to Grealish’s lack of goals and direct contributions. Villa fans, though, are used to defending him - having previously shrugged off suggestions that players like Bradley Dack or Pablo Hernández were superior in the Championship due to better stats.
In his first season at City, Grealish managed three goals and three assists. He followed that with 16 contributions during the treble-winning campaign. However, over the last two league seasons, he's only recorded four goals and two assists - figures that will concern any potential suitors, even if his impact isn’t measured solely in numbers.
Still, Villa have their own attacking concerns. Last season, only Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and Jhon Durán scored more than three league goals - and Durán is no longer at the club.
Emery needs two quality players per position, and a loan move for Grealish would be a smart, low-risk addition - provided the club can manage the wage demands.
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