As the 2025 summer transfer window heats up, Tottenham Hotspur are poised to make a headline-grabbing move for Manchester City’s sidelined star Jack Grealish, aiming to bolster their attacking ranks with the 29-year-old England international. The North London club, under the guidance of manager Thomas Frank, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou, sees Grealish as a key target after missing out on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who signed a new deal with his club. “Jack Grealish needs to be playing regularly wherever he goes. Tottenham could be that destination, especially after they’ve missed out on the deal for Gibbs-White,” said transfer expert Mike Brown, highlighting Spurs’ long-term interest in the versatile midfielder.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City, which began with a record-breaking £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, has been a tale of highs and lows. The Birmingham native, who once captained Villa, played a pivotal role in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, contributing to three Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and other major honors. However, his time at the Etihad has been marred by inconsistent form and limited game time, with only 17 Premier League starts over the past two seasons. “It’s a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said upon joining City, but his struggle to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s system—described by Grealish himself as “much more difficult” than anticipated—has left him on the fringes, with just three goals and five assists in 31 appearances this season. His exclusion from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad and Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad in 2025 underscores his uncertain future.
Tottenham’s interest in Grealish is not new; they made a £25 million bid for him in 2018, only to be rebuffed by Villa’s £40 million valuation. Now, with City open to a permanent transfer to offload Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages, Spurs see an opportunity to secure a player valued at £24 million by Transfermarkt. “He walks into that team in every position,” former Watford striker Troy Deeney declared, praising Grealish’s ability to play as a winger, No. 10, or box-to-box midfielder. Deeney believes Tottenham’s high-energy style and European football—secured after their Europa League triumph in Bilbao—could reignite Grealish’s career, especially as he eyes a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. “He’s a unique player, but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them,” Tuchel noted, emphasizing the urgency of a move.
The proposed deal faces hurdles, primarily Grealish’s hefty salary, which would make him Tottenham’s highest earner, surpassing captain Heung-min Son’s £200,000-a-week wages. City’s willingness to subsidize a significant portion of his wages could pave the way for a loan or permanent transfer, though Spurs prefer the latter to align with their strict wage structure. “Tottenham are being linked with a surprise move this summer, and explorations into that have been interesting,” a source close to the negotiations revealed, noting that City’s reduced asking price—far below the £100 million they paid—makes the deal viable. Other clubs, including Everton, West Ham, Newcastle, and even European sides like AC Milan and Napoli, have been linked, but Tottenham’s Champions League qualification gives them an edge. A return to Villa is unlikely due to their 91% wage-to-revenue ratio and manager Unai Emery’s tactical preferences.
Spurs’ pursuit comes amid a mixed 2024/25 season, with victories over Manchester United, Aston Villa, and City contrasted by losses to Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, and a 3-2 Europa League defeat to Galatasaray. Sitting 10th in the Premier League with 16 points, just three behind third-placed Chelsea, Tottenham are eager to strengthen their attack, especially after winger Wilson Odobert’s injury. Grealish’s flair, dribbling prowess, and ability to draw fouls could address their need for a creative spark, as evidenced by his standout performance in England’s 2-0 win over Ireland in 2024, where he thrived as a No. 10. “I think you’re going to see him as a No. 8, driving out of midfield,” Deeney predicted, envisioning a new role for Grealish at Spurs.
As the September 1 deadline looms, Tottenham’s move for Grealish signals their ambition to compete at the Premier League’s summit. Whether the former Villa star can rediscover his spark in North London remains to be seen, but his potential arrival promises to add intrigue and excitement to an already transformative transfer window.
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