Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City could be coming to an end with the club reportedly prepared to sanction a loan move for the England international this summer.
The 28-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign at the Etihad, finding himself on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s plans during a season defined by tactical evolution and fierce competition for places. And with a World Cup on the horizon, Grealish is said to be eager to secure regular minutes in a bid to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Although Grealish remains tied to City until 2027, his substantial wage packet is expected to complicate any hopes of a permanent departure. According to reports, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak would prefer to recoup a sizeable portion of the club-record £100 million outlay spent to bring the playmaker from Aston Villa in 2021. However, the more realistic scenario appears to be a season-long loan, with City likely to shoulder a portion of his salary to facilitate the move.
Guardiola is understood to be open to the idea of allowing Grealish to move on, providing the right club and project can be found. While there has been speculation linking the midfielder with a return to his boyhood club, Aston Villa, there’s been no formal approach as yet. Unai Emery is reportedly keen to strengthen his midfield ahead of Villa’s Europa League campaign, and a move for Grealish would undoubtedly excite supporters at Villa Park.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, had been loosely linked with a summer approach, but local sources have since suggested the Magpies are not currently considering a move. With Financial Fair Play limitations to navigate and an already well-stocked attacking midfield department, their focus is likely to lie elsewhere.
Grealish, who played a prominent role in City’s treble-winning campaign last season, has found opportunities harder to come by this term. The emergence of younger options and tweaks to City’s attacking structure have seen the former Villa captain slip down the pecking order.