Jack Grealish Set To Cut Ties With Man City

Jack Grealish’s Manchester City story appears to be heading for an early and quiet conclusion. The England international, once the crown jewel of British football and City’s record signing at £100 million, is now on the verge of leaving the Etihad just four seasons into his tenure.

At 29, Grealish finds himself drifting further out of Pep Guardiola’s plans, with reports suggesting the club is ready to sanction a move this summer for a cut-price fee of around £40 million. It’s a far cry from the fanfare that accompanied his arrival from Aston Villa in 2021 when his flair and attacking presence made him one of the most sought-after players in Europe.

A Struggle To Fit In

Despite being part of a City squad that has lifted multiple Premier League titles, won a treble, and conquered Europe, Grealish has struggled to find consistency or a permanent spot in Guardiola’s starting XI. This past season summed up his frustrations, limited starts, a lack of rhythm, and a growing sense that others have leapfrogged him in the pecking order.

The rise of younger, more dynamic options like Jeremy Doku and Savinho has only made things harder. Both players have brought pace, energy, and directness to City’s attack. Traits Grealish has been criticized for lacking in recent months. And when City opted to leave him out of the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace altogether, giving a debut to teenager Claudio Echeverri instead, the message was loud and clear.

Even Guardiola seemed to hint at the difficult decisions he’s had to make: “I’m so sorry they don’t get the minutes that maybe they deserve… but contributions from Doku or Savinho have been massive this season.” While the manager’s words were diplomatic, they offered what the manager was thinking behind Grealish’s exclusion. Guardiola has never been sentimental when it comes to squad decisions and right now, City is evolving once again. 

Big Changes Coming At the Etihad

Grealish isn’t the only big name being phased out. Veteran Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has left the club after spending a decade in City colors on a free transfer, despite expressing a desire to stay. Kyle Walker and John Stones could also be moved as City look to inject new life into an aging core that has, up until now, delivered consistently under Guardiola.

In their place, fresh names are arriving. AC Milan Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is on his way in a £46 million move, while Lyon’s talented Forward Rayan Cherki is expected to sign for around £30 million. Rayan Aït-Nouri of Wolves is another imminent arrival at left-back, with his deal reportedly close to completion. These are the kind of players Guardiola wants younger, hungrier, and with years ahead of them.

Interestingly, Jack Grealish will not be traveling with the squad for the Club World Cup in the United States. While City is preparing for another global competition, he is staying back, a gesture that underlines just how far out of favor he’s fallen.

What’s Next For Grealish?

With two years left on a lucrative contract that sees him earn around £300,000 per week, finding a club willing to take on that financial burden won’t be easy. But there is interest, particularly in the Premier League. His boyhood club, Aston Villa, is monitoring the situation, while Newcastle United, Everton, and West Ham have also been linked. Italian giants Napoli are said to be among the continental clubs keeping tabs.

What complicates matters is the salary. Grealish is unlikely to earn anywhere near his current wages at another club, and that may limit his options unless he’s open to taking a pay cut or City agrees to subsidize part of his deal to facilitate a move.

Despite his struggles at the Etihad, Grealish remains a gifted player. At his best, he’s a creative force capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling and vision. He’s still in his prime years and far from done with football, and with the right environment, perhaps a system built more around him,  he could easily reignite his career.

City, for their part, seems determined to help him move on without much fuss. The club is reportedly working with his representatives to find a suitable next step, keen to free up squad space and salary room ahead of what could be one of their most aggressive summers in the transfer market under Guardiola.

Final Thoughts

Grealish’s time at Manchester City will always divide opinion. He lifted trophies, including multiple league titles and a Champions League, and had a stellar second season, but he never truly became the player many expected him to be. In a squad built around precision and positional discipline, his more free-spirited style sometimes clashed with Guardiola’s methods.

Still, he exits with a glittering CV and a bank of experience that very few players in world football can match. And if this summer does mark the end of his City journey, he leaves knowing he was part of one of the most dominant sides English football has ever seen.