Online Reporter
JACK GREALISH is set to be left out of Manchester City’s squad for the Club World Cup − pushing him closer to the Etihad exit door.
The England star joined City in 2021 for a then-British record £100million from Aston Villa but the out-of-favour attacking midfielder is tipped to be sold this summer.
Boss Pep Guardiola has started his revamp with a £46.2m deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while City also want Lyon winger Rayan Cherki and Wolves’ 23-year-old left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
So it appears Grealish, who still has two years left on his £300,000-a-week contract, needs a fresh start after becoming a bit-part player.
Grealish, who turns 30 in September, is keeping his options open but he is unlikely to be part of City’s opening clash in the USA against Wydad Casablanca on June 18.
He is expected to attract interest from Prem clubs and across Europe.
Grealish, valued at £40m, completed 90 minutes just EIGHT times this term and is set to follow Kevin De Bruyne out of the door.
Ex-club Villa, Newcastle, Everton and Napoli − where De Bruyne is set to join on a free transfer − are all interested.
And it is understood City would rather Grealish has as much time as possible to find a new club rather than travel Stateside.
Guardiola said last month: “Of course Jack has to play.
“He needs to do it − with us or another place.”
Pep aims to shake up his side, who finished third last season, with Reijnders already agreeing a five-year contract.
City are keen to seal a £35m deal for France Under-21 ace Cherki.
And the manager is confident of landing defender Ait-Nouri for £50m.
City hope to have the trio of transfers over the line before the club fly to the States on June 12.
The spending spree comes after a first trophyless season 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.” − Sun
