Jack Grealish to Al-Hilal? What We Know About the Latest Transfer Links

July 30, 2026 · Transfers · 4 min read

Jack Grealish spent last season on loan at Everton. He is now back at Manchester City — at least on paper — but the 30-year-old was notably absent from City's pre-season touring squad, and he has been training at a second-division Spanish club to maintain fitness. The situation has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Al Hilal emerging as a potential destination. Here is what is known, what is speculation, and what happens next.

What Are the Facts?

Grealish was left out of Enzo Maresca's pre-season squad that travelled for City's summer tour. According to Sky Sports and talkSPORT, Grealish has been training separately at an unnamed Spanish second-division club to maintain his fitness levels. Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola this summer, addressed the situation publicly: the new manager said he maintains a "positive relationship" with Grealish and is "ready to assess him upon his return to full fitness."

On the transfer front, talkSPORT reported on July 29 that Al Hilal are interested in signing a left-winger this summer, and Grealish is among the options being considered. The Saudi club are one of the Pro League's four PIF-owned teams and have the financial capacity to meet both City's asking price and Grealish's wage demands.

No formal bid has been submitted, and Grealish has not publicly commented on the links. The story remains at the "interest" stage — not a done deal, not even advanced negotiations.

Why Is Grealish Available?

Grealish's Manchester City career has not followed the trajectory expected when he joined for £100 million from Aston Villa in 2021. Despite winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League, his individual output — 11 league goals in four seasons — never matched the price tag. Guardiola trusted him in big games for his ball retention and tactical discipline, but the explosive end product that defined his Villa years appeared only in flashes.

His 2025/26 loan at Everton was productive but injury-hit. Grealish impressed at Goodison Park before a foot injury in January ended his season prematurely. He underwent surgery and has been rehabilitating since. The early performances at Everton — where he was the creative focal point in Sean Dyche's system — briefly reignited the conversation about what Grealish could be when a team is built around him.

But Manchester City under Maresca are pivoting. With younger, faster wide options in the squad and the club mindful of Grealish's £300,000-a-week wages and expiring contract in June 2027, a sale makes financial sense for all parties — if a buyer can be found.

Would Grealish Go to Saudi Arabia?

This is the central question. Grealish is 30 years old. He has won every domestic trophy available in England. A move to the Saudi Pro League would be transformative financially — Al Hilal could comfortably offer a contract in the range of £25-30 million per year — and it would place him in a league that has successfully attracted players of his profile, including former City teammate Riyad Mahrez and Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah (who is expected to complete a move this summer).

But Grealish is also an England international with 38 caps. Gareth Southgate's successor as England manager has not yet indicated whether playing in the Saudi Pro League would affect international selection — a concern that has followed other players considering the move. Grealish has previously said he has "no conversations" about moving to MLS and that his preference was to stay in European football, but circumstances change quickly in transfer windows.

Everton, where he spent last season, have expressed interest in a permanent deal but are unwilling to match City's valuation. A£12 million offer was reportedly the maximum Everton were prepared to pay, which falls significantly short of the £15-25 million range that transfer analysts consider Grealish's current market value.

What Happens Next?

The Saudi transfer window closes later than the Premier League's — typically in early October — which gives Al Hilal time to structure a deal even after the English deadline passes on September 1. City, for their part, would prefer to resolve Grealish's situation before the start of the Premier League season on August 21. A player on £300,000 a week who is not in the manager's plans is an expensive asset to carry into a new campaign.

As of July 30, the Grealish-to-Al-Hilal story is a developing situation with genuine interest from the Saudi side but no formal offer. The situation could accelerate if City receive a bid that meets their valuation — or it could stall entirely if Grealish decides to fight for his place under Maresca. Either way, the next four weeks will determine where one of English football's most recognisable players will be playing his football in 2026/27.

Sources: Sky Sports — Paper Talk: Jack Grealish attracting interest from Al Hilal (July 29, 2026); talkSPORT — What is going on with Jack Grealish at Man City? (July 2026); GOAL — Jack Grealish given hope of fresh Man City start by Maresca (July 2026); TransferFeed — Jack Grealish Transfer Value and Linked Clubs (July 2026).