Man City Exclusive: Expert moots Jack Grealish exit timeline ahead of rule change
Man City are in no rush to move Jack Grealish on this summer despite him being on high wages and seemingly having no place under Pep Guardiola.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who explained to Football Insider exclusively that the Sky Blues are in a strong financial position with both the Premier League and UEFA, but will react to a strong offer if one is made.
Grealish arrived at the Etihad as Britain’s most expensive transfer, but has failed to live up to the expectations that were set for him.
The winger started just seven games in the Premier League for the Sky Blues last season and has not been included in Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup (CWC).
Football Insider revealed on 11 June that Grealish prefers a move to Everton over Newcastle, as the 29-year-old is set to end his stay in Manchester.
But despite signing nine players in 2025 already, including Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, City are not expected to have any issues with PSR issues, Plumley told Football Insider.
Man City in no rush to sell as Premier League to follow UEFA
Owing to their strong position, not only with the Premier League’s financial rules, but also UEFA’s, Plumley explained to Football Insider exclusively City were in no rush to sell Grealish.
But should the Sky Blues receive a good offer for the ex-Aston Villa man, the finance expert believes the club will not hesitate to sell the winger.
Plumley also expects the Premier League to adopt the same ruleset that the European governing body uses in the “not-too-distant future”.
He said: “I don’t think there’s any need for City to move Grealish on quickly, I don’t think that’s a concern.
“They don’t need to sell him immediately for any sort of [PSR] compliance issues.
“And again, if you look at the wage bill as a proportion of their revenue, they’re still on a very good wage-to-revenue percentage, which is what UEFA are monitoring against now.
“When UEFA changed their FFP, as it was, to financial sustainability regulations and squad costs rule, we’d expect the Premier League to do the same in the not-too-distant future.
“Wages to turn over wise City are okay, despite Grealish obviously being very well paid, whatever wages he is on, their overall wage bill is not a huge concern.
“I don’t see any real need to shift him on quickly, however, if there is a deal to be done and with the incomings that they’ve had, they might look at that and go, actually, that’s the right time to move a player.
“You’ve got to make those strategic decisions when they arise, it might be a bit reactive rather than proactive.”
Man City give Jack Grealish opportunity to seal exit
With the club in no rush to sell, according to Plumley, City have left Grealish out of the CWC squad to give the winger time to seal his exit from the club.
The 29-year-old is unlikely to be short of suitors, although his reported £300,000-a-week wages [BBC Sport] could prove to be a stumbling block.
Grealish’s next move could be vital not only for his career, but his legacy, with a place in England’s World Cup squad on the line.
The former Villain has not been involved in any of Thomas Tuchel‘s squads since the German took charge of the Three Lions, but some good performances next season may be enough to earn a ticket to North America next year.