Manchester City star Jack Grealish is increasingly likely to leave the Etihad Stadium on loan instead of making a permanent departure after it has been accepted that his wage demands will be a significant stumbling block for suitors during the summer, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Sky Blues have edged closer to making Tijjani Reijnders their latest recruit, having agreed a deal in excess of £46million with Serie A heavyweights AC Milan, but boss Pep Guardiola is determined to make further alterations to his squad after missing out on major silverware during the 2024/25 campaign.
A fresh left-back option is also expected to arrive at Manchester City, with there being confidence that they will land Rayan Ait-Nouri from Premier League counterparts Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Grealish is among the names facing an uncertain future as the Club World Cup nears.
Grealish Unlikely to Complete Permanent Exit
England international set to miss out on Club World Cup selection
Manchester City are expected to sanction a loan move for Grealish, according to GMS sources, as it has been acknowledged behind the scenes that it will be extremely difficult to find a buyer willing to meet their valuation and match his salary expectations after struggling to rediscover his best form.
The England international is preparing to enter the final two years of a contract which allows him to pocket £300,000-per-week, resulting in the Sky Blues being able to weigh up whether it would be a better solution to allow him to embark on a fresh challenge temporarily before reassessing his future in 12 months’ time.
GMS sources have been informed that Grealish will be snubbed by Guardiola when he selects the Manchester City squad to travel to the United States for the Club World Cup, resulting in him searching for a new option ahead of next season as he aims to reignite his career after being starved of regular action throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Although the winger has been described as ‘incredible’ by Theo Walcott, he has found himself behind the likes of Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Savinho in the pecking order, leading to the Sky Blues being open to offloading him as preparations are made for an attempt to regain the Premier League title.
Manchester City have decided that they will have to consider loan offers for Grealish, GMS sources have learned, and they will negotiate the coverage of his wages when they enter discussions with suitors who are willing to hand him the opportunity to move onto pastures new in the coming months.
Grealish Looking to Join Premier League Rival
Winger not on course to head overseas for fresh challenge
GMS sources have been told that Premier League admirers have been put on red alert as it is currently considered unlikely that Grealish will move abroad as he looks to boost his hopes of returning to the England set-up before head coach Thomas Tuchel selects his squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Manchester City shattered the British transfer record when they landed the now-29-year-old in a £100million deal from Aston Villa and, having enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium, he is interested in joining a domestic rival to give himself the best possible chance of breaking back into the Three Lions’ fold.
AC Milan have been contemplating whether to make a move for Grealish since becoming aware that he is available, with them wanting to make contingency plans in case Rafael Leao departs, but GMS sources understand that they will struggle to convince him to make the San Siro his preferred destination.
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GMS sources recently revealed that Manchester City are facing difficulties in their pursuit of Andrea Cambiaso, with an upheaval at Juventus complicating matters, but Guardiola is prepared to offload big-names due to being determined to give his squad a makeover during the transfer window.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 05/06/2025
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