From Million-Dollar Star to Devalued Player

When Manchester City signed Jack Grealish in 2021 for a record fee of £100 million — approximately US$134.5 million — few could have predicted that three years later his value would plummet so dramatically. According to Transfermarkt, his current value is around €28 million (about US$33 million). Other estimates put him at €35 million, roughly US$41 million.

This drop represents a loss of more than 65% of the initial investment, a major financial blow for City.

The Real Problem: Wages and Declining Performances

The depreciation is bad enough, but his weekly salary of £300,000 (around US$404,000) remains an almost insurmountable obstacle for potential buyers. The club has yet to receive any formal offers for him.

On the pitch, Grealish has only played 1,521 minutes this season — a far cry from the more than 3,500 minutes he logged during his peak seasons.

Strategic Exit Options

The most realistic scenario now appears to be a loan with an option to buy for around £50 million (about US$67 million), which would allow City to recoup part of their investment while facilitating Grealish’s departure. Clubs such as Everton, Tottenham, Newcastle, and even Napoli have been linked, though few are willing to take on his full wages.

Final Verdict

Jack Grealish has become one of the most financially challenging signings of the Guardiola era. City must resolve his situation during this transfer window — whether via loan, wage-sharing arrangement, or outright sale — to avoid an even greater loss and free up squad space.