The football world is abuzz with intrigue as Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s £100 million winger, has sparked intense transfer speculation after leaving the UK for the Amalfi Coast, just days before the 2025 summer transfer window heats up. The 29-year-old England international, whose future at the Etihad Stadium has been under scrutiny following a lackluster season, was spotted landing at Naples’ Capodichino airport, prompting whispers of a potential move to Serie A giants Napoli. “Grealish is still on the Amalfi Coast; I took him there,” revealed Salvatore, the driver who transported the star, speaking on Radio Goal. “I can’t tell you where he’s training, but yes, he’s here. I took him this morning; he’s been here for two or three days now.”
Grealish’s trip to Italy comes at a pivotal moment. His 2024-25 season with Manchester City was his least productive since joining from Aston Villa in 2021, with just one Premier League goal and one assist across seven starts. Pep Guardiola’s preference for wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho, coupled with Grealish’s exclusion from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad in June 2025, has fueled speculation that his time at the club is nearing an end. “The only reason he didn’t play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever,” Guardiola insisted, addressing rumors of off-field issues. Yet, the manager’s decision to leave Grealish on the bench for the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and omit him from the season’s final Premier League match against Fulham signaled a clear shift in priorities.
The Naples connection has ignited talk of a reunion with former City teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who signed a two-year deal with Napoli after a decade at the Etihad. The Italian club, fresh off their second Serie A title in three seasons under Antonio Conte, is reportedly keen to bolster their attack with Grealish’s flair. However, his £300,000-per-week wages pose a significant hurdle, with suggestions that Manchester City may need to subsidize part of his salary to facilitate a move. “Maybe he has some contact with Napoli,” Salvatore hinted, noting that Grealish began training on the Amalfi Coast shortly after arriving. The timing of his visit, coinciding with Napoli’s interest, has led fans to speculate that the trip is more than a holiday.
Grealish’s struggles at City contrast sharply with his pivotal role in their 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, where he started all 90 minutes of the Champions League final. “I’m the fittest I’ve ever been,” Grealish declared that season, a stark contrast to his recent benchwarming. His limited game time—1,521 minutes across all competitions in 2024-25—also cost him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad, with new manager Thomas Tuchel emphasizing the need for regular club football to secure a place for the 2026 World Cup. “He’s an exceptional player,” Guardiola said, acknowledging Grealish’s talent while admitting, “He has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season.”
A return to Aston Villa, where Grealish rose to prominence, has been a romantic notion for fans, but financial constraints make it unlikely. Villa’s 91% wage-to-revenue ratio in 2024 and focus on reducing their wage bill under Unai Emery render a £40 million transfer fee and Grealish’s high salary unfeasible. Newcastle and Tottenham have also emerged as potential Premier League suitors, with Newcastle’s Champions League qualification and Eddie Howe’s backing in the transfer market making them a viable option. However, their depth on the left wing with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes could complicate a deal. A move to Saudi Arabia has been floated as a way to maintain his lucrative salary, but Grealish reportedly prefers a competitive European league.
As speculation mounts, Grealish’s passion for football remains undeniable. His heartfelt message to City fans at an Oasis concert in Manchester, where he declared, “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!” resonated deeply, with one fan noting, “Him being drunk makes it more genuine.” Yet, with City open to a £45 million transfer or loan, and Napoli’s interest gaining traction, Grealish’s next move could redefine his career. As he trains on the Amalfi Coast, the football world watches, wondering if the mercurial winger will rediscover his spark in Italy’s sun-soaked south.
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