Manchester City Rules Out Jack Grealish Loan Move

Manchester City has ruled out a loan move for Jack Grealish, with a permanent transfer now a likely option amid speculation about his future under Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City has ruled out a potential loan move for Jack Grealish this summer, despite reported interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham. According to talkSPORT, City are unwilling to allow the 29-year-old winger to leave on a temporary basis, opting to retain him in their squad.

The club's reluctance stems from not wanting to weaken their team and recognizing that no club is likely to meet the £100 million transfer fee City paid to sign Grealish in 2021.

England international Jack Grealish has been deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, sparking speculation about a potential departure this summer. With a loan move now reportedly ruled out, a permanent transfer may be the likely option, given his limited prospects for increased playing time under Guardiola.

🚨 Manchester City do not intend to let Jack Grealish leave on loan in the summer.

He is seen as a senior figure at the club and would not be allowed to leave ‘temporarily’.

(Source: @talkSPORT) pic.twitter.com/oiNe8GUYVu

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 30, 2025

Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King noted that despite Grealish settling in the North West, “he is settled in the North West but could move back to the Midlands if the opportunity arises.” This suggests a potential return to his home region could be on the cards if the right opportunity presents itself.

Jack Grealish is seen as a senior figure at #ManCity and would not be allowed to leave ‘temporarily’ on loan in the summer.

City are aware that they wouldn’t be able to recoup the £100m they paid Aston Villa for him.

Grealish is settled in the north west and his FA Cup semi… pic.twitter.com/UaW54FX41c

— City Report (@cityreport_) April 29, 2025

Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King believes Jack Grealish will return to the Midlands, stating, “Grealish will return to the Midlands. It is fine for him to be living where he is living at the moment. However, his home is the Midlands.” King added that a potential return to Villa could be possible, especially if a deal involving Aston Villa's Jaden Philogene or another player were to materialize, saying, “I could see him going back to Villa, if there was going to be a deal concerning Rogers, I would think he would be part of it, if Manchester City were after that kind of player.”

With Marcus Rashford likely out for the season, Villa manager Unai Emery might consider signing Grealish, who has a strong connection with the club. Grealish has previously scored 32 goals in 212 appearances for Villa, and Emery may see him as a more affordable option compared to triggering Rashford's potential £40 million release clause. A fairytale return to Villa could be on the cards for Grealish, making him one of the most talked-about players heading into the transfer window.