Jack Grealish, the £100 million star who once dazzled as Manchester City’s talisman during their 2023 Treble triumph, stands at a crossroads. The 29-year-old England international has returned to the City Football Academy to train alone, a stark indicator of his uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium. With his teammates enjoying a well-deserved summer break after a grueling 2024-25 season and an early Club World Cup exit, Grealish’s solo sessions underscore his quest for a new club. As the transfer window clock ticks, interest from Premier League and European sides mounts, but his hefty wages and recent struggles pose challenges to securing a move that could reignite his career.
Grealish’s journey with Manchester City began with fanfare in 2021, when he joined from Aston Villa for a British record fee. His flair and creativity shone in the 2022-23 season, where he played a pivotal role in City’s Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League victories, earning praise as “impossible to play against” from pundits like Rio Ferdinand. However, the past two seasons have been a nightmare, marked by injuries, inconsistent form, and just seven Premier League starts in 2024-25. Pep Guardiola, City’s meticulous manager, left Grealish out of the 27-man squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a decision that signaled the end of his tenure. “He had a conversation with the club and they decided it was best,” Guardiola said, emphasizing that Grealish’s limited minutes were due to tactical choices, not off-field behavior. “The only reason he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions.”
Training alone while his teammates, like Erling Haaland and Rúben Dias, soak up the sun in Rome and Ibiza, Grealish is working with personal trainer Jamie Reynolds to stay in peak condition. Reynolds, who collaborated with Grealish last summer, shared on Instagram, “Another great off season in the bank with this legend @jackgrealish. Solid week of work in Dubai.” This dedication reflects Grealish’s determination to revive his career and reclaim his spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel, who stressed the need for regular club football. “Of course Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days,” Guardiola noted, acknowledging Grealish’s need for a fresh start, whether at City or elsewhere.
Interest in Grealish spans the Premier League and beyond. West Ham United has explored a loan move, though their pursuit hinges on the future of Lucas Paqueta and the approval of new head coach Graham Potter. Everton has emerged with an ambitious loan bid, while Napoli, under Antonio Conte, sees Grealish as a potential left-sided attacker to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris Saint-Germain. Conte admires Grealish’s dribbling and ability to draw fouls, but his £300,000-a-week salary poses a hurdle for the Italian champions, who recently signed Kevin De Bruyne. A return to Aston Villa, Grealish’s boyhood club, seems unlikely due to their 91% wage-to-revenue ratio and manager Unai Emery’s tactical preferences. “I think you’re going to see a new role for him… as a No.8 – just driving out of midfield,” former striker Troy Deeney suggested, naming Newcastle as a potential fit, though their financial constraints under PSR rules complicate matters.
Grealish’s preference for a permanent transfer over a loan reflects his desire for stability, but City’s £40-50 million valuation and willingness to subsidize wages for a loan deal may dictate terms. “Jack is an exceptional player,” Guardiola said, praising his professionalism despite his reduced role. “We decide that he has to play and come back to be the player like he was in the year of the Treble.” Grealish’s emotional connection to City remains strong, evident at a recent Oasis concert in Manchester’s Heaton Park, where he told fans, “I love City more than anything! And do you know what I love more than anything? City fans! They’re the best fans in the world!” The clip, widely shared online, prompted one fan to note, “Him being drunk makes it more genuine as you speak truthfully when drunk.”
As the August 15 Premier League kickoff approaches, Grealish’s situation remains unresolved. City’s signings, including Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, signal a squad refresh, with Grealish slipping behind Jeremy Doku and Savinho in the pecking order. If no move materializes, he risks remaining a fringe player unless he rediscovers his Treble-winning spark. With his contract running until 2027, the next few weeks are critical for Grealish to find a club where he can rediscover the “butterflies in his stomach” Guardiola believes he needs. Whether in the Premier League or Serie A, Grealish’s next chapter promises to be a defining one for a player whose talent and charisma remain undeniable.
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