Jack Grealish, the flamboyant 29-year-old winger whose £100 million transfer to Manchester City in 2021 set a Premier League record, finds himself at a career crossroads. Once a pivotal figure in City’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, Grealish has struggled for consistent minutes under Pep Guardiola this season, sparking widespread speculation about his future. While clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and even his boyhood club Aston Villa have been linked with the England international, a surprise contender has emerged from the shadows: Nottingham Forest. Their ambitious pursuit of Grealish, described as a “statement signing,” is poised to send shockwaves through the Premier League.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City has been a tale of triumphs and tribulations. After joining from Aston Villa, where he was a beloved captain and talisman, Grealish played a key role in City’s historic treble, contributing to their Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League victories. However, his 2024-25 season has been marred by fitness issues and poor form, with only 19 Premier League appearances and a solitary goal to his name. “I want the Jack that won the Treble,” Guardiola said earlier this year, expressing frustration at Grealish’s inability to recapture his peak form. With just 10 starts in 26 competitive matches and a recent benching in City’s 6-0 rout of Ipswich, Grealish’s future at the Etihad Stadium looks uncertain.
Enter Nottingham Forest, a club defying expectations under Nuno Espirito Santo. Currently sixth in the Premier League, three points behind third-placed Newcastle with a game in hand, Forest are dreaming of Champions League football. Their FA Cup semifinal run has further fueled their ambition, and signing Grealish could elevate their attack to new heights. “He has the attributes to play holding midfield. He can keep the ball, break the lines and he has composure,” Guardiola once said of Grealish’s versatility, qualities that align with Forest’s dynamic style. The club sees Grealish as the marquee addition to cement their status as a rising force, especially if they secure European competition.
Forest’s interest is not without precedent. The club has made shrewd moves in recent years, and their reported £100 million valuation of their own star, Morgan Gibbs-White—whom City admire—suggests they’re ready to play in the big leagues. City, aware that Grealish’s market value has dipped as he approaches 30, are reportedly open to offers between £38 and £43 million, a significant loss on their initial investment. “I think a fresh start would be great for him and somewhere where he’s the main man again,” former striker Troy Deeney opined, suggesting Grealish thrives when given the freedom to dictate play, as he did at Villa.
The prospect of Grealish donning Forest’s red jersey is tantalizing. His flair, honed at Villa where he made 213 appearances and led them to promotion in 2019, could complement Forest’s attacking setup. Yet, challenges abound. Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages pose a hurdle for Forest, and competition from Spurs, Newcastle, and even Chelsea, who view him as a left-wing option, is fierce. Tottenham’s interest, in particular, has been consistent, with reports indicating they see Grealish as a potential successor to Son Heung-min. Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s emotional pull remains strong, though Deeney cautioned against a return, noting, “If you go back, there’s an expectation you’re going to be that person you was when you left.”
Grealish’s off-field narrative adds another layer to this saga. A father since October 2024, when his partner Sasha Attwood gave birth to their daughter Mila Rose, Grealish has spoken candidly about personal struggles. “Last year was probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch,” he admitted, reflecting on missing England’s Euro 2024 squad and his limited City role. His recent FA Cup goal against Salford City, dedicated to his late brother on the 25th anniversary of his passing, showed glimpses of the “old Jack” fans adore.
As the summer transfer window looms, Forest’s audacious bid could reshape Grealish’s career and the Premier League’s competitive landscape. A move to the City Ground, backed by Forest’s European ambitions, would be a bold statement from a club once on the brink of relegation. For Grealish, it’s a chance to rediscover the joy he once described admiring in Paul Gascoigne: “I’d love to be like Gazza. He played with such joy.” Whether he chooses Forest’s upward trajectory or another path, Grealish’s next chapter promises to be one of the transfer market’s most captivating stories.