Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s 29-year-old star midfielder, has caught the attention of Serie A heavyweights Napoli, AC Milan, and Inter Milan as speculation about his future intensifies ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window. The England international, who joined City from Aston Villa for a record-breaking £100 million in 2021, has struggled for consistent game time under Pep Guardiola, prompting interest from abroad.
Napoli have emerged as a strong contender, with reports indicating that manager Antonio Conte is a “huge fan” of Grealish. The Italian club sees him as a potential marquee signing to complement recent additions like Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, with Grealish reportedly open to a move to Italy to boost his England career ahead of the 2026 World Cup. AC Milan have also been linked, eyeing a loan deal with an obligation to buy for around €40 million (£34 million), a significant loss on City’s initial investment. Inter Milan, alongside Borussia Dortmund, were mentioned earlier in 2025 as tracking Grealish, though their interest has been less detailed recently.
Grealish’s 2024/25 season has been underwhelming, with only one Premier League goal and two assists in 19 appearances, starting just seven matches. His limited role, overshadowed by Savinho’s emergence, has fueled exit rumors. Guardiola has acknowledged Grealish’s struggles, stating in January 2025, “Savinho is in better shape than Jack,” but urged him to fight for his place. Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages pose a challenge, potentially requiring a pay cut for a Serie A move, though Napoli’s ambition and Conte’s pull could ease negotiations.
While Serie A clubs are circling, Premier League sides like Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest have also shown interest, with Tottenham’s strict £200,000-a-week wage cap a hurdle. A return to Villa carries emotional weight, but their pursuit of Marcus Rashford may shift priorities. Grealish’s versatility and experience, highlighted by his role in City’s 2022/23 treble, make him an attractive target, but his recent form—described as “shocking” by some—raises questions about his next step. Napoli’s interest, backed by Conte’s vision, appears the most concrete Serie A option, with a transfer fee of £38-43 million floated by Caught Offside.[
