Jack Grealish faces an increasingly uncertain future at Manchester City, with the Englishman expected to be left out of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup.
Grealish played a limited role for City towards the end of the season and was left out of the matchday squad for the final game of the season versus Fulham.
The 29-year-old started just one league game in 2025, with Guardiola conceding the winger could move on in the summer.
‘Of course, Jack has to play,’ Guardiola said in May. ‘He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days.
‘It didn’t happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it – with us or another place.
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‘It’s a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one to make a contribution.’
With several clubs circling ahead of the transfer window, the Telegraph reports that Grealish will not be in City’s squad for the Club World Cup in what is perhaps the clearest indication yet that his future lies away from the Etihad.
The decision is said to have been made to allow Grealish the best opportunity to find a new club ahead of next season.
Securing a transfer away from Manchester may prove difficult given his £300,000-a-week wages, and an initial loan deal could well be on the cards.
Perhaps hoping to take advantage of that loan opportunity could be Everton, who have been installed as the bookies favourites to sign Grealish.
The Toffees enjoyed a resurgent second half of the season under David Moyes and will look to kick on next campaign as they move into their new stadium.
Antonio Conte’s side could be in the market for a new left-sided attacker after selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG in January and Italy has proven a great place for ex-Premier League stars to find another lease of life.
Jack Grealish next club odds
Everton – 7/2
Tottenham – 4/1
Napoli – 9/2
Newcastle 5/1
Aston Villa – 6/1
AC Milan – 13/2
Any Saudi Pro League club – 16/1
Nottingham Forest – 16/1
Odds courtesy of Bet365 (subject to change)
Grealish need only look at how Scott McTominay has blossomed since joining Napoli from Manchester United last summer, with the Scotland midfielder recently named Serie A MVP.
Tottenham and Newcastle have also been touted as favourites to make a move for Grealish as both sides look to fill out their squads ahead of a return to the Champions League.
And a return to Aston Villa could also be on the cards, with Grealish’s former club priced at 6/1 to make a swoop for their former star.
Wherever he may end up, Alan Shearer believes it is imperative that Grealish departs the Etihad as soon as possible, saying after the FA Cup final: ‘His time is up at Man City. He has to leave.
‘For Pep Guardiola to bring on a debutant, a young boy, and [Ilkay] Gundogan rather than Jack Grealish when Man City are desperate for a goal… his time is up.
‘He’s done at Man City, he has to leave. For whatever reason Pep is done with him, he doesn’t like him. His time is up, it really is.’
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