What Next for Jack Grealish? Man City Star Faces Loan Exit as Transfer Market Goes Quiet

Jack Grealish Could Be Loaned Out by Manchester City Amid Lack of Transfer Interest

There was a time not so long ago when Jack Grealish was the toast of English football. Stylish on the pitch, charismatic off it, and with a £100 million price tag that made him the most expensive British footballer in history, his move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021 was supposed to be the next great chapter in a rising star’s story. But fast forward to summer 2025, and Grealish finds himself in a very different place—physically absent from City’s pre-season tour and metaphorically on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Now, with interest in a permanent move proving lukewarm at best, Manchester City are reportedly considering a loan deal just to get the 28-year-old some regular football. And with a hefty wage package and a price tag that’s proving to be a deterrent, it’s beginning to feel like Grealish’s story at the Etihad could be winding to a close—if only temporarily.

From Centrepiece to Sideline: Grealish’s City Journey Hits a Wall

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When Grealish signed for City four years ago, the expectation was that his creativity, ball-carrying ability, and unique flair would add another layer to Guardiola’s already multi-dimensional side. And while there have been flashes of brilliance—his role in the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign was understated but effective—he’s never quite become the player City hoped for on a consistent basis.

Injuries, form dips, and the emergence of others in City’s attacking rotation have made things difficult. Phil Foden’s rise, Jeremy Doku’s arrival, and even the reliable presence of Bernardo Silva have all pushed Grealish down the pecking order. And now, as City prepare for the Club World Cup in the United States, Grealish hasn’t even boarded the plane to Boca Raton with the rest of the squad.

While City sources insist there’s no rush to push Grealish out the door, they’re also not blind to the realities. He’s on a contract worth £300,000 a week, he’s no longer a first-choice player, and—crucially—there’s no serious buyer in sight.

A £50m Price Tag and a Quiet Market

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Manchester City have reportedly set a £50 million valuation on Grealish, a figure that might seem fair given his pedigree and experience, but one that’s proving to be a stumbling block in the current market. Clubs across Europe are tightening their belts, and Grealish’s wages are a deterrent even before any transfer fee comes into play.

A return to Aston Villa—the club where Grealish made his name and became a cult hero—is being talked about with increasing seriousness. But it’s unlikely that Villa would be willing, or even able, to fund a full-time return under the current terms. A loan deal, however, might be palatable. It would allow Villa to bring back their former captain and give Grealish a familiar platform to rebuild his form and confidence without committing to a financial gamble.

There have also been whispers of interest from abroad, particularly from Serie A and La Liga, where his technical ability and profile could be better suited to a less physically demanding environment. But again, the wage package complicates matters.

Pep Guardiola’s Stance: Open, But Unsentimental

As always with Guardiola, sentimentality doesn’t guide selection decisions. He values Grealish’s intelligence and his ability to retain possession under pressure, but he’s also built a squad packed with options. Foden, Doku, Silva, and even younger prospects offer more versatility and energy—qualities that Guardiola leans heavily on, especially during long, gruelling seasons.

Guardiola’s absence of Grealish from the Club World Cup squad isn’t a final verdict, but it’s a telling one. It suggests that, at least for now, the England international isn’t central to the manager’s immediate plans. And at 28, Grealish isn’t a kid waiting for his breakout moment. He needs regular football—something City may no longer be able to offer.

A Career at a Crossroads

The challenge Grealish now faces is not just about location—it’s about identity. He’s no longer the hometown hero who could carry Villa on his back, nor is he the record-breaking marquee signing at City with the footballing world watching his every move. He’s a player in limbo, caught between two phases of a career that has, at times, sparkled with promise and charisma.

This isn’t the end of Grealish’s story, but it may be a turning point. The move to City, in hindsight, was a risk—for both sides. For City, it hasn’t fully paid off in terms of return on investment. For Grealish, the tactical rigidity of Guardiola’s system may have clipped his natural flair. His dribbling, unpredictability, and instinctive style haven’t always aligned with the metronomic discipline demanded at the Etihad.

A Return to Villa Park?

If Villa do move to bring him back, even on loan, it could be the reset Grealish needs. Under Unai Emery, the team has evolved from an ambitious mid-table outfit into a genuine Champions League contender. There would be competition for places, no doubt, but Grealish would walk back into an environment where he’s adored, trusted, and understood.

The question is whether Villa—and Grealish himself—are willing to revisit the past in order to salvage the future. In football, fairytale returns don’t always play out the way fans hope. But this one, if handled correctly, could be mutually beneficial.

What Does the Future Hold?

There’s still time for Grealish to rewrite the narrative. He’s only 28, still in what should be the prime of his career, and when fit and focused, he remains a game-changer. But something has to give. A full season spent on the City bench—or worse, outside the matchday squad altogether—would do no good to him or the club.

A loan move, while far from ideal, might be the lifeline he needs. Whether that takes him back to Villa, to Italy, or somewhere else entirely, the important thing is that he finds the right fit—on and off the pitch.

Because for all the noise around price tags and contracts, the essence of Jack Grealish has always been about joy. Joy in the way he plays. Joy in the way he entertains. And joy in the way he connects with fans.

Right now, that joy looks like it needs rediscovering. And maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery is the only way to find it again.