Jack Grealish offered wild transfer out of Man City as European giant present escape route
A Champions League club is reportedly planning a shock move for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish.
Grealish, 30, spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Premier League side Everton, for whom he registered two goals and six assists in 22 matches before sustaining a broken foot against former club Aston Villa in January, ending his season prematurely and his hopes of securing a spot in England’s World Cup squad.
The winger remained under the supervision of Everton’s medical staff for the remainder of last season before returning to Man City training in July.
However, on July 29, it was widely reported that Grealish was left out of City’s pre-season tour of Asia.
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Grealish then addressed the speculation, explaining that the reason for his absence on the tour was that he was recovering from an injury.
“Just to let you know I'm still recovering from an injury so I'm not training yet,” he wrote in a statement on social media.
"Haven't been 'left out' so stop talking poo poo thanks."
Grealish has 12 months remaining on his City contract and would likely have to take a significant pay cut if he were to move on during the summer transfer window, with the 30-year-old earning a reported basic salary of £300,000 per week.
Despite seemingly being cast aside by Pep Guardiola during his final two seasons as City boss, new head coach Enzo Maresca appeared to be open to including Grealish in his plans.
Speaking in July, the Italian said: “At the moment, he is here. He is a Manchester City player. I always said the same. In any club I join, I like to know if there are players that belong to the club.
"It's my duty to try to coach them. Jack is here. I have a good relationship with Jack since I left. Also, we keep in touch, and the reason why is because he has a big heart and he is a very good guy. So this is the reason why and then we see what happens."
Jack Grealish linked with European giants
Despite Maresca’s words of affirmation, it has since been reported that La Liga side Atletico Madrid are considering a move for the Englishman.
According to The Sun, Atleti’s hierarchy admire his work rate both in and out of possession, with the Birmingham-born winger seen as a good fit for Diego Simeone’s tactical setup.
Simeone has already worked with several English players in recent years, with Kieran Trippier and Conor Gallagher representing the Spanish side.
It remains unclear whether Grealish would be a guaranteed starter for Atleti, given the arrival of summer signing Lee Kang-in, as well as the presence of World Cup winner Álex Baena, Thiago Almada and Ademola Lookman, who are all favoured to play on the flanks.
Atleti endured a frustrating 2025/26 season, finishing fourth in La Liga while losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad on penalties. Simeone’s side also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League before suffering defeat to Arsenal.
Meanwhile, if a move to the Spanish capital fails to materialise, Everton are reportedly still keen on bringing Grealish to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on another loan, while a return to Aston Villa should not be ruled out.
Topics: Man City, Jack Grealish
Luke Davies