As the summer sun beats down on Manchester, England, Jack Grealish finds himself at a crossroads. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder, once the shining star of Aston Villa and a £100 million signing for Manchester City in 2021, is back at the Etihad Stadium, training with the first-team squad despite swirling rumors of an imminent departure. This development, confirmed by reports on July 23, 2025, marks a surprising twist in a saga that has gripped football fans, as Grealish navigates an uncertain future with the Premier League giants.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and frustrations. His pivotal role in the club’s historic 2022-23 treble-winning season—securing the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League—cemented his status as a fan favorite. “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!” Grealish declared passionately to supporters at an Oasis concert at Heaton Park in July 2025, a moment that underscored his deep connection with the club’s faithful. Yet, the past two seasons have been less kind, with Grealish starting just seven Premier League matches in 2024-25, overshadowed by new signings like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. His omission from City’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where they suffered a shock round-of-16 exit to Al-Hilal, signaled that his time at the Etihad might be nearing its end.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s meticulous manager, has been candid about Grealish’s situation. “Of course Jack has to play,” Guardiola said earlier this year. “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.” These words, spoken after Grealish was left out of the final Premier League match against Fulham, hinted at a mutual understanding that a move might be best for the player’s career. Despite this, Grealish’s return to training with the first team, as confirmed by ESPN’s Rob Dawson, suggests that no deal is imminent, and the club is open to reintegrating him if a transfer fails to materialize before the transfer window closes on September 1, 2025.
The road to a potential exit is fraught with challenges. Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages and a reported £40-50 million asking price have deterred suitors, with clubs like West Ham, Everton, and Napoli expressing interest but hesitating due to financial constraints. Napoli, under Antonio Conte, sees Grealish as a potential left-sided attacker to complement their recent signing of Kevin De Bruyne, but his salary remains a sticking point. Everton, where manager David Moyes is a long-time admirer, views Grealish as a statement signing for their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the allure of regular playing time tempting the midfielder. “It’s said the ‘glamour’ of their new stadium and the possibility of a regular starting role is attractive to Grealish, who does not just want to be a squad player,” a source close to the player revealed. Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle, both set to compete in the Champions League, have been linked, though their crowded attacking options raise questions about fit.
Grealish’s determination to revive his England career adds urgency to his decision. After being left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad—a decision he called “the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career”—and struggling for minutes under City’s new signings, Grealish knows he needs consistent game time to impress England’s current manager, Thomas Tuchel. “He’s a unique player but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them,” Tuchel noted, casting doubt on Grealish’s international future unless his club situation changes.
As Grealish trains at City’s state-of-the-art facilities, he’s reportedly working with personal trainer Jamie Reynolds to ensure peak physical condition, a move that reflects his professionalism amid uncertainty. His recent holiday in Greece and appearance at the Oasis concert show a player trying to balance personal life with professional ambition. City’s preference for a permanent transfer over a loan complicates matters, as they aim to recoup part of their initial investment while shedding his hefty wages. However, with no formal offers yet, a loan move—potentially to Everton or West Ham—remains a possibility, with City likely needing to subsidize his salary.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for Grealish, whose love for Manchester City and its fans is undeniable, yet whose career demands a new chapter. As the Premier League season looms, with City’s first-team squad set to return on July 28, Grealish’s training sessions could either be a stepping stone to a fresh start elsewhere or a chance to reclaim his place in Guardiola’s plans. For now, the football world watches, waiting to see where this talented, charismatic midfielder will land next.
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