Jack Grealish is reportedly going to be omitted from Manchester City`s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. This development seems to signal his potential departure from the Etihad Stadium.
The England international signed for City in 2021 from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £100 million. However, the attacking midfielder, who has fallen out of favour, is expected to be sold this summer.
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Credit: Alamy
Manager Pep Guardiola has begun reshaping his squad, securing a £46.2 million deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. City are also targeting Lyon winger Rayan Cherki and Wolves` 23-year-old left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
It appears Grealish, who still has two years remaining on his £300,000-a-week contract, may need a fresh start after becoming a peripheral figure in the team.
Grealish, who turns 30 in September, is keeping his options open but is unlikely to be part of City’s opening fixture in the USA against Wydad Casablanca on June 18.
He is expected to attract interest from Premier League clubs and teams across Europe.
Grealish, valued at £40 million, completed 90 minutes just eight times this season and is anticipated to follow Kevin De Bruyne in leaving the club.
His former club Aston Villa, along with Newcastle, Everton, and Napoli – where De Bruyne is set to join on a free transfer – are all reportedly interested.
It is understood that City would prefer Grealish to have ample time to secure a new club rather than travel to the United States.
Guardiola said last month: “Of course Jack has to play. He needs to do it — with us or another place.”
Pep aims to revitalize his side, which finished third last season, with Reijnders already agreeing to a five-year contract.
City are eager to finalize a £35 million deal for France Under-21 talent Cherki.
The manager is also confident about signing defender Ait-Nouri for £50 million.
City hopes to complete these three transfers before the team departs for the States on June 12.
This spending spree follows their first season without a trophy since 2017.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted: “Last summer we should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed. That ended up costing us this year.”
Jack Grealish shows off his singing skills as he meets Rod Stewart in Dortmund with mum and dad on break from Man City
Marcus Bellamy