Police probe whether burglars who raided Jack Grealish’s home ‘by breaking in via a balcony’ were tipped off after dozens of workmen had been in the mansion doing renovations

A raid on Jack Grealish's home that left his family terrified and fleeing for safety could have been an inside job, sources claim.

Burglars hit the Manchester City winger's home in Cheshire on December 26, while he was playing against Everton at Goodison Park, and stole up to £1 million worth of jewelery and watches.

It is now claimed that Grealish and his fiancée Sarah Attwood, who was present at the time of the burglary along with other members of his family, had only moved in a few days before Christmas.

On Sunday, Grealish said he was 'devastated'. The raid had traumatized his family and left him feeling that his last 12 months in football, during which he won the Champions League and the Premier League, “doesn't feel like something I can celebrate”.

Officers investigating the crime are now investigating whether the burglars were tipped off after workmen finished renovating the house just days earlier. A source told The Sun that the thugs went 'straight to safes and jewelery counters'.

They told the newspaper: 'By the time Jack's partner and family downstairs heard what was happening and raised the alarm, they were long gone.

“The thieves may have received specific information from eyewitnesses who had been in the home.”

It was also reported that the burglars could have been helped by the planning application for the renovation work, which showed the layout of the house.

Jack shared a photo of himself with his dog and spoke about the incident for the first time on Instagram on Sunday: 'I can't begin to explain how devastated I am about the burglary that happened at my home a few days ago.

'My family means the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us. I'm so thankful no one was hurt.

'I've had so many great experiences and achievements over the past 12 months, but to be honest, the best year of my life in football doesn't feel like something to celebrate right now.

'The people who commit these terrible crimes have no idea of ​​the damage they do to people's lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so that no other family has to go through what we have.

'I appreciate everyone's messages and the support from my friends, teammates and the club.

“On a more positive note, I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past year, I wish you and your family a happy 2024.”

Police investigating the raid are believed to be investigating whether the gang 'had prior knowledge' that he would not be home at the time.

A source told MailOnline that such crimes are often committed by 'serious organized crime networks' who have 'vast sources of information about what players are doing and when'.

They added that gangs will pay “a lot of money” to people who can provide them with insider information and help organize a raid.

The source said: 'One theory being looked into is that moving staff were followed during the days Jack moved into the property.

“There were cars coming and going for days leading up to Jack and his girlfriend getting the keys.

'For burglars who want to raid, this is like red meat. The police will therefore work backwards in the days leading up to the raid to see if there are any clues at all.

'Another area they will investigate to find out is whether the gang had inside information.

'These raids are carried out by serious organized crime networks, often based abroad, who have vast amounts of information about what players are doing and when.

“They pay a lot of money for tips to help carry out these kinds of raids.”

MailOnline has also learned that Grealish's fiancée has been left 'terrified' by the Boxing Day raid – and no longer feels safe on her own in the property.

Grealish's fiancée Sasha Attwood, 28, was with his family at their home in Cheshire when the burglars struck and had to press the panic buttons in the house.

Sources say she is 'in pieces' following the thefts, which happened just days after Grealish moved into the £5.6million mansion.

A source said: 'Sasha is in turmoil over this. Sasha has faced death threats and online abuse time and time again during her time with Jack.

'But this feels very different. The fact that people enter her new home this way scares her to death. She hasn't been alone since it happened and she doesn't want to anymore.

'Jack is particularly angry about the impact this has had on Sasha. They have been together for almost half his life and he loves her dearly.

'He will now do anything to protect her. They have their dream house, but it means nothing if she's not happy and Jack wants her to feel as safe in it as possible.'

Details of the fear Sasha is feeling come as police continue to investigate the Boxing Day incident.

Officers are under intense pressure to find out who is responsible as virtually no cases involving Premier League players are ultimately solved.

“The police want to know who did this,” our source said. 'Time and again, burglars who target players at that moment seem to disappear from the face of the earth, with the stolen objects never being seen again.

“Detectives have told Jack and his management that they are determined this case will be different and that they will do everything they can to catch the gang behind it.”

Yesterday, MailOnline revealed how the raid could have been carried out by a South American gang – and that those behind it may have already fled the country.

We also told how the police are investigating whether burglars followed moving vans who came and went from the Grealish's Cheshire manor.

The gang fled the £5.6 million estate in Cheshire with £1million worth of watches and jewellery.

It is located in an area called the 'Golden Triangle', which has been repeatedly targeted in the past three years by professional gangs from Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

Experts say they were likely flown to Britain specifically for the raid and may have already returned to South America.

Every year, around 500 burglars from these South American countries travel to Britain to target homes in Cheshire, the Home Counties, London and Surrey.

Grealish, 28, played in City's 3-1 away win against Everton during the burglary.

It is believed that ten family members – including Sasha – were watching the match before being alerted by dogs barking and noises.

Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'This looks and sounds like a gang from South America who have come here to burglarize. For starters, the area is exactly where they operate.”

Grealish returned to the pitch in Man City's 2-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United yesterday, playing until early in the second half.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reportedly told his stars to do so limit their use of social media to reduce the chance that they could be the target of similar attacks.

He told reporters earlier this week: “Today you have to be absolutely careful. Not much on social media, the less they know what you do the better.”