Jack Grealish could be priced out of a move away from Man City in January but a sensational return to Aston Villa next year can’t be ruled out..
This is according to Mick Brown, who has worked as a scout for top clubs including Man United, Villa and Tottenham, and remains very well connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that City will demand a substantial fee for his services.
Grealish, 29, moved to City from Aston Villa in a move worth £100million in 2021, and the Champions are expected to want to recoup “a lot” of that fee.
Football Insider revealed in May that the club were weighing up cashing in on the winger after a disappointing season which saw him dropped from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
However, Brown has insisted that even if Pep Guardiola was open to seeing him leave, it is unlikely any interested parties could afford him.
The likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle had been linked with moves for him as they eyed a superstar addition to their ambitious projects.
Despite the speculation, Grealish remained at the Etihad, and has featured eight times so far this season, picking up two assists in six starts.
Brown, who worked for Villa until 2021 when Grealish made the move to the Etihad, has insisted the winger would be a “great asset” should a return to the Midlands become available, but doesn’t expect it to happen.
“You’ve got to remember he’s a £100million player,” he told Football Insider.
“I’ve heard City would want to make a lot of that money back, and I’m not sure how many teams can afford that sort of transfer fee and his wages.
“That would be a stumbling block for any interested sides.
“I think he’d be a great asset to Villa if he was to return, which could happen.
“But at Man City, they have a number of wide players and none of them are absolute regulars. Pep plays them against certain opposition and very often will rotate them.
“That’s what Manchester City can do. Like with Jeremy Doku. How many teams could carry both Jack Grealish and Doku?
“I think if any clubs were interested in signing Grealish, it would take big money to get him out, and clubs are wary of spending big money now.“
In other news, Man City are working on a “big name” signing.
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