Jack Grealish tipped for Manchester City exit to potential Premier League newcomers | OneFootball

One England legend has tipped Manchester City’s Jack Grealish for a surprising summer transfer away from the Etihad Stadium to a potential Premier League newcomer.

Since joining Everton on a season-long loan last summer, Grealish has undergone a career resurgence followed by a devastating injury blow. With eight goal involvements in 22 appearances, Grealish’s creative influence was a primary driver behind Everton’s push into the top half of the table, earning Premier League Player of the Month award in August.

However, in late January 2026, Grealish suffered a stress fracture in his foot, before successful surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign, effectively ending his hopes of featuring in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Off the pitch, Jack Grealish will enter the final 12 months of his Manchester City contract by the time the summer comes around, and while Everton hold a £50 million option-to-buy, a negotiated fee closer to £20 million or £30 million is expected to be more realistic.

And while various reports have tipped Grealish to attract interest from throughout the Premier League as well as the Toffees, one former professional has tipped a potential top-flight newcomer as a potential destination.

Why Chris Waddle believes Wrexham could entice Grealish

Speaking to BetVictor, England legend Chris Waddle insisted upon his belief that Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City has firmly come to an end with a summer transfer away from the Etihad Stadium on the horizon.

“He’s 30 so Jack Grealish will be looking for a new contract elsewhere because City are moving on. His days at Man City are over. They’re just hoping somebody might take him. To get rid, they’re going to probably have to give him a free transfer, or a very low price,” said Waddle.

“I think he’s done alright at Everton, on that left-hand side, giving them balance. He’s on a lot of money. Is he really that good of a player to command that wage or a transfer fee to another Premier League club? Probably not.”

Financial Reality: Wages, FFP, and City’s summer clearance

“It’s a funny situation for Jack Grealish. He’s probably thinking, I’ve got another year at City, I think. They’ll be looking to cash in this summer. They may take a deal just to get some money in, but it’s getting him off that wage, which will be a big wage if it’s Man City.”

Looking at Grealish’s potential options for the summer, Chris Waddle said, “Other teams are going to say, ‘We can’t compete with that wage, but we can give you a two or three-year contract.’ He might have to say, ‘I’ll take that. Two or three years.’ It’s not going to be bad money, but probably not the Man City-type wage.

“He needs to go somewhere where he enjoys his football. He seems to enjoy it on that left side. He’s given great balance, the fans like him. I wouldn’t rule out Everton getting a deal and him going back. I think he’ll have options, but he’s got to realise he will probably have to get a little payment off Man City to drop his wages.”

From the perspective of the former England international, the ever-ambitious Wrexham could come into play as they have one eye on promotion into the Premier League in the very near future – perhaps through the play-offs this season.

“What if a team like Wrexham get promoted? He’s the sort of name Wrexham would look at, wouldn’t he? But whether they could afford him, I’m not sure,” said Waddle. “Wrexham would get hit quite heavily with Financial Fair Play, the size of crowds, what you earn. But that would be a good story.

“Jack’s got to look and say his time at Man City is basically done, and he’s got to find a club where he’s going to enjoy his football for the next two or three years.”

Can Wrexham secure another promotion?

Wrexham’s debut season in the Championship has been a testament to their rapid ascent, with Phil Parkinson’s side currently sitting in 7th place and firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot.

The Red Dragons found rhythm behind the clinical form of Kieffer Moore (13 goals) and Josh Windass, now with 63 points from 39 games and remaining level on points with 6th-place Southampton.

Should Wrexham secure a remarkable Premier League promotion at the first time of asking, then their transfer targets would undoubtedly step up in terms of quality, although it remains to be seen whether they would have the spending power to entice Jack Grealish into a move.