Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that winger Jack Grealish will leave the club this or next summer, emphasising the need for the 29-year-old to rediscover his form through regular playing time elsewhere.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of City’s next clash with Wydad, Guardiola praised Grealish’s talent but acknowledged his limited role in recent seasons, stating, “Jack, an exceptional player… he has to play. In the last two seasons, he didn’t play much, and he has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality he has.”
Grealish, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for a British record £100 million in 2021, has struggled to cement a starting spot, making only 43 Premier League starts over four seasons and scoring 11 goals in 154 appearances.
Despite contributing to four consecutive Premier League titles, a Champions League, and an FA Cup, his impact has been curtailed by injuries and competition from players like Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
This season, Grealish started just three league games, with his last appearance in a brief substitute role in City’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
Guardiola’s comments signal the end of Grealish’s tenure at the Etihad, with the club open to both permanent transfers and loan deals.
Sources indicate Betis wants him; however, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle are leading the race for a permanent move, while Italian clubs AC Milan and Roma have enquired about a loan with an option to buy.
Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages remain a hurdle, with potential suitors hesitant to match his salary. Fans praising Guardiola’s honesty and others lamenting Grealish’s underutilisation.
The decision aligns with Manchester City’s squad overhaul, as they aim to refresh an ageing roster amid a challenging season, with the team sitting fourth in the Premier League.
Grealish, an England international with 35 caps, last played for the Three Lions in a 2-0 Nations League win over Finland in September 2024. His departure could pave the way for a return to form, with Villa, his boyhood club, seen as a sentimental favourite.
