Jack Grealish looks increasingly likely to leave Manchester City this summer, and Rio Ferdinand has urged the England international to seek happiness outside the Premier League.
Grealish, who was left out of City’s Club World Cup squad and benched in key matches last season, has been deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola. With his place in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup now in jeopardy, the 29-year-old is pushing for a summer exit.
City have reportedly set a £40 million price tag for the midfielder — less than half of what they paid for him in 2021. Despite links to Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle, Ferdinand believes Grealish’s best option lies beyond English shores.
“I would advise Jack Grealish to play where he will be happy,” the Manchester United legend said during a Q&A on his YouTube channel. “He needs to find a place where he feels like the star again — where he can express himself and enjoy his football.”
Ferdinand named Napoli, Marseille, and the Saudi Pro League as three ideal destinations for Grealish. “Villa would be great, but where does he fit in now?” Ferdinand asked, pointing to Villa’s packed attacking options. “If I’m him, I’m going Saudi — feet in the sand, relaxed.”
He also mentioned Napoli as a thrilling option due to the passionate atmosphere and the presence of former Premier League stars. “I’d love to see him in Napoli,” he said. “That crowd, that culture — he’d thrive. Or even Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi.”
Grealish managed just 3 goals and 5 assists in 32 appearances during a difficult 2024/25 season, starting only 16 matches. After being axed from Guardiola’s plans for both the league finale and the FA Cup final, his City future appears sealed.
Tottenham and Napoli are currently leading the betting markets at 9/4 odds, while Nottingham Forest and Everton also show interest. A return to Aston Villa sits at 5/1, while AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Saudi clubs trail behind.
With only a year remaining on his contract and Guardiola willing to offload him, Grealish must now choose between chasing trophies at elite clubs or reclaiming joy and form in a team where he’s central. As Ferdinand put it, “Yes, you want trophies, but you also want to enjoy your football. I want to see Jack smiling and swaggering again.”
Whether that joy awaits in Serie A, Ligue 1, or Saudi Arabia remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Grealish’s next move could define the remainder of his career.