Five years ago, Manchester City paid £100 million for him.
A British record.
An enormous statement of intent.
And now, after injuries, loan spells and a gradual fading from the first-team picture, Enzo Maresca has made his position clear.
His time at the Etihad is over.
Manchester City open the door to Jack Grealish sale as multiple clubs circle the £100m superstar
According to The Sun, Atletico Madrid are considering a move for Grealish, with Diego Simeone personally admiring the 30-year-old’s work rate both in and out of possession and believing his profile could suit Spanish football.
Aston Villa and Everton are also exploring bids, the former offering the romance of a homecoming, the latter offering familiarity and a defined starting role.
Manchester City are prepared to sell regardless of which of the three moves forward.
Getting Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages off the books is the priority.
The number is eye-watering. Even by modern football’s inflated standards.
Manchester City are understood to be open to negotiating significantly below the £50 million option-to-buy clause attached to Grealish’s loan at Everton last season.
A loan that was producing two goals and six assists before a foot injury derailed everything in January.
Grealish left City’s pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea for injury reasons.
Swiftly denying on social media that he had been “left out.”
“Just to let you know I’m still recovering from an injury so I’m not training yet. Haven’t been ‘left out’ so stop talking poo poo thanks.”
The wager and the wit remain very much intact.
Maresca, meanwhile, reaffirmed diplomatically that “at the moment, he is here.”
But the door that once seemed permanently closed is open.
Atletico Madrid would offer Champions League football and Simeone’s system.
Aston Villa offer the homecoming story that would be one of English football’s most emotional of the summer.
Everton offer David Moyes, who wants him back, and a clear pathway to minutes.
Three options. One decision. And a Premier League record fee that turned into a cautionary tale.
The next chapter begins soon.
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