Man City boss Pep Guardiola is set to exclude Jack Grealish from his Club World Cup squad heading to the United States this summer and the England star could be forced to assess his options
Jack Grealish's future at Manchester City looks increasingly uncertain with the club set to leave him out of their squad for the Club World Cup this summer. The England international has suffered a difficult two years with City after falling down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
The winger - who joined City for £100million in 2021 and is still the most expensive British signing ever - played a huge part in helping the club win the treble in 2023 but Jeremy Doku is now Guardiola's preferred option on the left flank. Guardiola admitted Grealish needed more game time after their final game of the season, a 2-0 win at Fulham, but said it was a question for the club over what will happen regarding his future.
"Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days," the Spaniard said. "It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, and that's with us, or another place. And that's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club."
Guardiola excluding him from his group to travel to the United States is particularly damning and now Grealish could be forced to start assessing his options - though a move will prove difficult amid his £300,000-a-week salary.
Mirror Football has taken a look at five possible destinations for Grealish as he looks to get his career back on track this summer.
Tottenham
Spurs were strongly linked with Grealish before his move to City when he was at Aston Villa and made a failed £25m bid for the player in 2018 - back when he was playing in the Championship.
Seven years later, Grealish has become a completely different player after winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Spurs will be looking to push on next season after winning the Europa League and are one of the clubs who can offer the player Champions League football. Ange Postecoglou - should he avoid the sack - might like a player like Grealish who can run at defenders with pace and flair.
Tottenham are in need of a new left winger after Timo Werner's two-year loan spell ended, Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the club will renew their loan for Mathys Tel and Son Heung-min is approaching the final month of his contract.
Grealish can also play centrally, which would provide back up at No 10 to cover for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, who have both struggled with injuries of late.
Aston Villa return?
This might be a move for the football romantics but there's no doubt Villa still holds a special place in Grealish's heart after starting his career with the club as a six-year-old.
He played 213 times for his boyhood club, with his debut season coming in 2013-14 before suffering relegation and helping them return to the top flight in 2018-19.
Villa raked in a £100m transfer fee when he left for City at the end of the 2020-21 campaign and while it is unlikely the club could afford to buy him back permanently, a loan deal might be feasible.
There might be a place for Grealish in the team, especially given that Marcus Rashford looks unlikely to return to Villa Park after his own loan spell and Grealish could be a good replacement.
Outside of Rashford, Morgan Rogers looks to be the only unshiftable player on the wing and he can play on the right. Grealish would otherwise have to compete with the likes of Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey for a slot at left wing.
Everton
Working with David Moyes might be an attractive prospect for Grealish, while also knowing that he should be guaranteed a starting role due to Everton's lack of quality options on the wing.
Iliman Ndiaye performed well on the left flank for the Toffees in the 2024-25 season, scoring 11 times in all competitions, but Moyes will need more depth and better competition as Everton approach an exciting season in their new stadium.
Moyes will also be eager to add to his options, with Jack Harrison's loan spell set to end, as he bids to ensure the Toffees don't endure another relegation battle.
The Athletic's David Ornstein claimed Everton were "an interesting possibility" because they required new signings heading into their season in the new stadium - while the location would also suit Grealish.
He said: "Everton are an interesting possibility in my mind, especially as they need players, are heading into an amazing new stadium and that would keep him close to home in the north west."
Move to Saudi
Saudi Pro League clubs have always got their eyes on the biggest talent the Premier League has to offer and after failing in a move for both Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah, Grealish might be next on their radar.
The league have already managed to lure Ivan Toney to the Middle East and now might be confident they can do the same for another England international in Grealish.
It's believed Toney's success with Al-Ahli has given the Saudi league a huge PR lift after previously being seen only as a league where players head to for lucrative contracts.
But after Toney received an England call-up from Thomas Tuchel, chiefs are confident the profile of their competition is increasing.
Last month, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol claimed that Grealish was indeed on the radar of Saudi officials, who were "considering" a move for the City winger.
He tweeted: "Saudi Pro League clubs are planning on making big moves in the summer window again with approaches being considered for players such as Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish and Victor Osimhen."
Fight for place at City
Despite all the speculation that Grealish could be forced to seek pastures news, there is also every chance that he could be forced to stay put and fight for his place at the Etihad.
Grealish still has a contract until 2027 and many clubs could be put off his eye-watering salary at City.
The club could have to supplement his wages if they want to send him on loan and the player will be reluctant to take a pay cut by moving elsewhere permanently.
Grealish was given a handful of opportunities last season. He managed 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times - though only 16 of those outings came as starts.
Sky Sports claimed that Grealish may struggle to find a club due to his transfer fee and contract, which means he might have to wait until the end of the window - possibly even until deadline day - to find a new club.
If a deal becomes too complex to pull off, Grealish might have no choice but to stay where he is and battle for game time.