Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in signing Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, a 17-goal star in 156 appearances for the Citizens, faces a significant obstacle due to his hefty £300,000-a-week wages, as revealed by football finance expert Stefan Borson to Football Insider on May 11, 2025. The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined City for £100 million from Aston Villa in 2021, has struggled to meet expectations, prompting speculation about a move away this summer. Despite Tottenham’s keen interest, their financial constraints make it unlikely they can match Grealish’s current salary, potentially pricing them out of the deal.
Grealish’s Premier League experience and versatility could complement Tottenham’s attacking unit, particularly as a creative spark alongside Dominic Solanke. However, his wage demands pose a challenge, especially given Tottenham’s recent £65 million investment in Solanke and their need to bolster other squad areas, as noted in transfer analyses by Yardbarker. The club’s transfer strategy under Ange Postecoglou, who faces pressure after a 14th-place standing following a 1-0 loss to Chelsea, prioritizes cost-effective signings, making Grealish’s salary a sticking point.[]
Moreover, Grealish’s modest goal tally—17 across all competitions for City—may not justify the financial risk for Tottenham, who are also eyeing other targets like Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze (£60 million valuation) and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko (€80 million release clause). These alternatives offer higher goal contributions and youth, aligning better with Tottenham’s long-term vision. Posts on X, such as @FootballTalkHQ, suggest fan skepticism about Grealish’s fit, citing his inconsistent output compared to Eze’s 11 goals and four assists last season.[](https://theboyhotspur.com/tottenhams-interest-is-more-advanced-journalist-shares-encouraging-update-on-tottenhams-pursuit-of-premier-league-star/)[]
Manchester City’s willingness to offload Grealish could lower his transfer fee, but Tottenham would need him to accept a significant pay cut, a scenario Borson deems unlikely. Competition from other clubs, though not detailed, adds further complexity. As Tottenham navigate this transfer window, their pursuit of Grealish appears ambitious but financially impractical, likely pushing them toward more attainable targets to address their attacking depth.
