Jack Grealish responds to Erling Haaland’s new partying message
Pep Guardiola is keen to move on several Manchester City players this summer and Jack Grealish is right at the top of his list.
Man City‘s squad has already seen plenty of upheaval this summer with £115million spent on Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders before the Club World Cup, only to end the season trophyless.
Guardiola hasn’t gone a full campaign without silverware since his first at the Etihad Stadium back in 2016–17, and Man City’s rebuild has continued in the off-season with the £12.5m arrival of Sverre Nypan.
Kyle Walker’s £5m move to Burnley is the highest-profile sale made by Man City so far this summer, but Guardiola also plans for Grealish and numerous others to depart as he aims to cut his squad down to size.
Haaland sends ‘summer’ message ahead of new Man City role
Football Insider revealed on 11 July that Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee all headline the list of Man City players Guardiola is keen to move on this summer, but all three have stayed put so far.
Man City are happy for Grealish’s exit to wait until the very end of the summer transfer window, but his absence from their Club World Cup squad made clear that the winger is not in Guardiola’s plans.
That’s in stark contrast to Erling Haaland, who has officially become one of City’s four vice-captains for next season after Bernardo Silva’s elevation to full-time skipper, in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne’s exit.
City players like Haaland had a delayed off-season break after the Club World Cup and the Norwegian showcased the highlights from “Summer 2025”, in a partying Instagram post (28 July) liked by Grealish.
Man City play waiting game for Grealish exit as offers loom
Football Insider Verdict
Grealish’s availability this summer has understandably attracted the interest of several clubs both in the Premier League and abroad, but his wages have so far been a stumbling block for the likes of Everton.
Tottenham have been tipped to step up their interest in Grealish after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, but it remains to be seen if Man City would sanction a loan move to a Champions League rival.
Wherever Grealish goes, Man City could be force to subsidise over half his wage packet, and as a result it’s no surprise to see Premier League clubs dragging their feet over a potential deal to sign the England star.