It is looking increasingly more unlikely that Jack Grealish will leave Manchester City on a permanent transfer, according to reports.
Before the summer transfer window was even open, Grealish was put up for sale by City after being left out of the matchday squad for their final Premier League game of the season.
Pep Guardiola later omitted him from his Club World Cup squad, with City slapping a £40million price tag on the the attacking midfielder whom they spent £100m on in 2021.
But nearly two months later, Grealish is no closer to leaving the Etihad as while there is interest in the player, clubs are baulking at the transfer fee and his expensive wages.
The Telegraph report that West Ham have now entered the race to sign the 29-year-old alongside Napoli and Everton, but all are waiting for the price to drop and for loan offers to be considered.
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The Irons’ interest is subject to the approval of manager Graham Potter and also depends on the future of Lucas Paqueta.
The Serie A champions have been told to sign the England international by his former City captain Kevin De Bruyne but his £300,000-a-week salary is a sticking point.
In a further blow to the Citizens, Grealish’s former club Aston Villa are not believed to be interested in re-signing him, but that could change if Jacob Ramsey is sold to Nottingham Forest.
Moreover, it is said that Grealish himself may also prefer a loan rather than a permanent transfer, having recently told fans at an Oasis concert that he ‘loves City more than anything’ despite a rocky few seasons.
His priority is to get back into the England squad ahead of next summer’s Word Cup and has been told by head coach Thomas Tuchel to join a club playing in European football.
Jack Grealish next club odds
Aston Villa – 13/8
West Ham – 5/2
Napoli, Everton – 9/2
Tottenham, Nottingham Forest – 5/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
For now, Grealish is returning to City this week to train individually, even though the rest of the first-team won’t be back until the end of July.
Rio Ferdinand tells Jack Grealish to leave Premier League
Speaking in June, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand urged Grealish to move abroad in order to get back to his best, naming three possible destinations:
‘I would like to see it where he gets a bit of a free role. If there’s a team out there that can afford to play a structure where he goes back to that almost like a No.10 or one of the eight positions that’s allowed to just roam a bit.
‘If I’m him, you know where I’d go? Saudi. If I’m Jack Grealish I’m going Saudi, I’m getting my feet in the sand.
‘I’d love to see him in Napoli, that atmosphere. Marseille with Roberto de Zerbi, where I know the fans will love him.’
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