(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

'Jack Grealish wanted as Saudi Pro League eye Man City approach'

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Jack Grealish looks likely to finally seal an exit from Man City this summer as Saudi Pro League sides set their eyes on a new round of big-money moves.

The winger has long been linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium, with Grealish tipped to re-join Aston Villa and thrive under Unai Emery if he were to join another Premier League club.

Despite being one of the most experienced players in the squad now, the 29-year-old has just seven Premier League starts to his name for the campaign, last starting against Leicester City and scoring last month.

His limited minutes have raised suspicions that Pep Guardiola and Grealish may have fallen out, which could add further fuel to the rumours that the winger will be sold this summer, likely at a loss.

However, a new update emerging on Saudi Pro League clubs could mean that the Citizens will lose less money on their star signing, who joined back in 2021.

Jack Grealish, Man City
Jack Grealish has been linked with a Man City exit. (Credit: Imago)

Jack Grealish to finally seal Man City exit

According to Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, Saudi Pro League sides are planning big moves ahead of the summer transfer window, including Man United's Bruno Fernandes and Man City's Grealish, as well as Galatasaray's on-loan Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

It is understood that spending is set to increase again in the Middle East after last summer's spending dropped by about 50 per cent, with the focus shifting to younger stars.

Fernandes has long been linked with a Man United exit, with Al Hilal heavily interested, and Grealish is expected to leave the Etihad Stadium after limited minutes under Guardiola.

According to Solhekol, however, clubs in Saudi Arabia have been warned that there will not be limited funds available this summer as they must function as well-run businesses, but this has not stopped Grealish from being eyed, who originally went to Man City for £100million (BBC Sport).

SPL clubs previously shocked world football by splashing £700million on transfers during the summer of 2023, signing stars such as Neymar and Karim Benzema.

Pep Guardiola to fund Man City rebuild with Jack Grealish sale

Many of the biggest stars are expected to find new clubs this summer, with Grealish just one of the ones likely to follow Kevin De Bruyne through the Man City exit doors ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite the new additions of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov, supporters have been deeply disappointed by the season, having dropped out of the Champions League and EFL Cup early.

PlayerAppearancesGoalsAssists
Jack Grealish3135
Grealish's 2024/25 campaign has been one to forget.

Qualifying for the Champions League will be crucial to bringing more talent to Manchester during the summer, and after leapfrogging Newcastle United into third, it almost looks guaranteed.

However, it remains to be seen if Grealish will play any part in the remaining three games of the league season, or even in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.

This would be a rather sad ending to his time at City, where he arrived as a very gifted, exciting forward, before becoming another cog in Guardiola's machine and losing his talented touch.

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