In a transfer saga that has set the football world abuzz, West Ham United have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, a player whose flair and charisma once made him the most expensive British footballer in history. The 29-year-old winger, sidelined by limited game time under Pep Guardiola, is actively seeking a summer exit from the Etihad Stadium, with his exclusion from City’s Club World Cup squad signaling the end of his tenure with the Premier League giants. However, a significant hurdle looms large for the Hammers: Grealish’s staggering £300,000-a-week wages, a figure that poses a financial challenge for the East London club despite their ambition to bolster their attacking ranks.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City, which began with a record-breaking £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, has been a tale of highs and lows. A key figure in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, including a full 90 minutes in their Champions League final triumph, Grealish’s star has dimmed in recent seasons. The 2024-25 campaign was particularly frustrating, with only seven Premier League starts and a mere 32 appearances across all competitions, yielding three goals and five assists. “He’s a unique player but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them,” said England manager Thomas Tuchel, casting doubt on Grealish’s international future unless he secures regular playing time. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Grealish is determined to revive his career, making a move away from City a priority.
West Ham’s interest comes at a pivotal moment for the club, who are looking to fill the void left by Mohammed Kudus’s £55 million departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Manager Graham Potter sees Grealish as a potential game-changer, capable of bringing creativity and dynamism to the London Stadium. “Jack might end up going somewhere like West Ham, bizarrely, because they have got the money and London as clout,” noted pundit Stan Collymore, highlighting the Hammers’ financial muscle and appeal as a Premier League destination. Yet, the financial realities are daunting. Grealish’s hefty salary far exceeds West Ham’s wage structure, and a permanent transfer, with City valuing him at around £40 million, may require a significant pay cut or a loan deal with City subsidizing his wages.
The transfer race is far from straightforward, with Everton also in the mix, eyeing a loan move to bring Grealish to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. The Toffees, under David Moyes, view Grealish as a statement signing to mark their new era, with his preference to stay in the North West potentially giving them an edge. “It is believed Grealish is happy in the north west, which may give Everton some advantage if the player is only going to leave on loan,” a source close to the situation revealed. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been linked, though Spurs’ interest has cooled, and Newcastle’s focus has shifted to other targets like Hugo Ekitike. Abroad, Napoli and Bayern Munich have been mentioned as possible destinations, offering Grealish a chance to reunite with former teammates Kevin De Bruyne or Harry Kane, respectively.
Grealish’s desire for a “clean break” rather than a loan reflects his ambition to rediscover the form that made him a fan favorite at Villa, where he was voted Player of the Season in 2020. “It’s a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said upon joining City, but his limited role—exacerbated by the arrivals of Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Rayan Cherki—has led to a mutual agreement with City that a move is best. Despite Guardiola’s praise for Grealish as “outstanding” and his popularity within the squad, the manager’s push for a leaner roster has opened the door for his departure. City’s willingness to accept a £40 million fee, a significant loss on their initial investment, underscores their resolve to move on.
For West Ham, landing Grealish would be a coup, signaling their intent to compete with the Premier League’s elite. However, the potential departure of Lucas Paqueta, pending the outcome of a spot-fixing case, could provide the financial flexibility needed to make a concrete offer. Grealish’s versatility, whether cutting in from the left or playing as a false nine, aligns with Potter’s tactical vision, but the deal’s feasibility hinges on creative financial structuring. As the transfer window deadline of September 1 approaches, Grealish’s next move will be a defining moment in his career, with West Ham’s bold inquiry positioning them as serious players in a high-stakes race to secure a Premier League icon looking to reclaim his spark.
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