Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City hangs in the balance, with the club setting a surprisingly low transfer fee of £40 million for the English midfielder—a significant loss on the £100 million they paid to prise him from Aston Villa in 2021. The decision follows a lackluster season for the 29-year-old, whose playing time under Pep Guardiola has dwindled dramatically. With only seven Premier League starts last season and his exclusion from the squad for the 2025 Club World Cup, Grealish has been given the green light to seek a new team. Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have emerged as the clear frontrunners, with the player appearing eager to embrace a fresh challenge to revive his career.
Grealish, a three-time Premier League champion and part of City’s historic treble-winning side in 2022-23, has struggled to secure a central role at the club. His 157 appearances for the Citizens, yielding 17 goals, and limited impact last season have prompted Guardiola to reassess his place in the starting lineup. “Obviously Jack needs to play,” Guardiola said after City’s victory over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season. “He’s an unbelievable player who needs to play every three days. It didn’t happen this season or the season before. He needs to do it, either with us or somewhere else.” His omission from the Club World Cup squad, confirmed by the manager ahead of the match against Wydad, underscores that Grealish is no longer part of City’s long-term plans.
Tottenham, now managed by Thomas Frank, are considered the leading contenders to sign Grealish. Fresh off an Europa League triumph and with Champions League qualification secured, the Spurs see the midfielder as an ideal fit for their attacking style. Sources close to the club suggest Grealish could replace Son Heung-min, who has received a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League. Grealish’s close friendship with England teammate James Maddison, with whom he shares a WhatsApp group called “The Avengers,” could ease the transition. “Me or Madders,” Grealish said in 2021, referring to their tight-knit group of friends, highlighting their strong bond. Tottenham have reportedly tabled a £40 million bid, and negotiations are progressing well, with Grealish favoring a move to north London.
Everton, meanwhile, have emerged as a surprise contender. With their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium and ambitious new ownership, the Toffees view Grealish as a marquee signing to herald a new era. “The allure of the new stadium and the prospect of regular starting minutes are appealing to the former Aston Villa star, who doesn’t want to be a peripheral figure at a Champions League club,” sources close to the player noted. However, Grealish’s £300,000-a-week salary poses a significant hurdle, and City may need to subsidize part of it for a loan move to materialize.
Despite interest from foreign clubs like Napoli, where the slower pace of Serie A could suit Grealish’s flair, and AC Milan, which has previously welcomed English players like Kyle Walker, the midfielder appears keen to stay in the Premier League. A return to his boyhood club, Aston Villa, seems unlikely due to financial constraints and lingering tensions with fans after his 2021 departure. Newcastle have also been linked, but the presence of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes in his preferred left-wing role complicates matters.
Grealish’s situation has drawn commentary from football legends like Paul Scholes, who suggested a return to Villa: “I think the fact that Jack Grealish didn’t come off the bench in the FA Cup final showed it’s time for him to move on,” Scholes remarked. “He needs to restart and get some energy back into his career.” Alan Shearer echoed this sentiment, stating, “He’s got to go.” With the 2026 World Cup looming, England manager Thomas Tuchel has emphasized the importance of regular playing time for Grealish, who was left out of the Euro 2024 squad.
As City prepare for a summer of squad changes, with potential departures of other veterans like Kyle Walker, Grealish stands at a crossroads. His defiant response to a critic on social media—“Haha, have I been poor lately? I scored 3 goals in my last 3 appearances in 45 mins, but ok”—reveals his determination to prove his worth. With Tottenham and Everton leading the race, the next chapter of Grealish’s career promises to be pivotal as he seeks to rediscover the spark that made him one of English football’s most beloved talents.
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