Simon Jordan asserts that Manchester City will offload Jack Grealish during the summer transfer window, citing the diminishing financial rationale for retaining him. This prediction follows public scrutiny of Grealish after he was observed leaving a pub the day after a commendable performance against Plymouth in the Football Association Cup on March first.
Speculation has linked Grealish with a departure from Manchester City, drawing parallels to Marcus Rashford’s successful move away from Manchester United. Despite not overtly violating any club regulations with his public outing, the England international has faced criticism, particularly amidst Manchester City’s recent period of subpar form.
Martin Keown has expressed concerns about the impact of alcohol on a footballer’s physique, likening it to “poison.” Recalling Arsene Wenger’s arrival at Arsenal in 1996 and his implementation of stringent professional standards, including a ban on alcohol, Keown suggests that the relationship between Pep Guardiola and Grealish is untenable. Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown explained, “He has been injured frequently, and there are connections to alcohol. As Wenger used to say, it is like poison to the body. These are Formula One cars, and you have to behave in the right way. Of course, he [Guardiola] sees the player out again, as soon as life is good again, he is having a drink, and it is a very public place, and it is not a good look for that particular player.”
When Manchester City acquired Grealish in 2021 for a British record fee of £100 million, they secured a highly coveted and talented player. Four years later, both parties have achieved Champions League and multiple Premier League titles. However, Grealish has primarily played a supporting role in Guardiola’s squad.
Jordan believes the England international will be sold this summer, stating, “This is a guy who has played ninety games in four years for Manchester City, after being bought for one hundred million pounds. He has two years left on his contract; he will be sold this summer because the economics of it do not make sense any longer to keep him. They are going to rebuild, and I do not think they will rebuild around him. He is thirty years of age this year, he is on their balance sheet at thirty-five million pounds. If they want to get some sort of return on him and be able to move forward, they will sell him.”
Grealish has been linked with potential transfers to Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, and a return to Aston Villa. Each club presents distinct advantages and disadvantages. Tottenham could offer Grealish a pivotal role, but the absence of European competition and uncertainty surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s future could deter him. Leeds United, while performing strongly in the Championship, may struggle to afford Grealish while constructing a Premier League-caliber team. A return to Aston Villa would represent a sentimental move, but the club is likely to prioritize a pursuit of Marcus Rashford.
Alternatively, a move abroad could benefit Grealish. Escaping the scrutiny of the English media and starting afresh could rejuvenate his career. His playing style, characterized by dribbling and creating space, could be highly effective for teams like Borussia Dortmund or AC Milan, who have previously utilized similar players such as Jadon Sancho and Suso.
