‘Man City will subsidise the deal’ – Jack Grealish to Aston Villa verdict from top source
Aston Villa are among the most likely destinations for Jack Grealish as he looks set to leave Manchester City this summer.
Football Insider revealed on 11 July Grealish is among three players Pep Guardiola wants to sell alongside Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee.
The England international started in 16 of his 32 appearances last season, where he registered three goals and five assists.
Grealish could have to wait until the end of the transfer window to seal a move away from the Etihad Stadium as his wages have created a potential stumbling block.
The 29-year-old is believed to be on in excess of £300,000 a week, with his deal set to run until 2027.
The winger joined Man City from Villa for a then-British record £100million fee in 2021.
Jack Grealish in Man City ‘bomb squad’
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Grealish was left out of Man City’s squad for the Club World Cup as his days appear to be numbered at the Etihad.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I think you have to look at what is done on player sales before knowing whether they are done in terms of players coming in.
“They have got big challenges on players going out. The big one, of course, is Grealish, who does appear to be surplus requirements, not just would quite like him to go.
“I think he is out and at a sort of bomb-squad level, which City haven’t really done before, but I think City have drawn a line under the Grealish situation.
“I think whatever happens, Grealish will leave. The question is, what can they get for him? I think the reality is it’s a case of how much City are prepared to subsidise the deal. I don’t think anybody’s going to pay a fee.
“This is assuming he won’t go to Saudi Arabia. If he goes to Saudi Arabia, then obviously there may well be a deal to be done.
“But I think absent of that, it’s a case of what percentage are City prepared to pay of his wages, and I think it starts at 50 per cent probably. I think if City are unlucky, they may even have to pay 75 per cent. It just depends who bites.
“I think the clubs that are most likely would be that kind of mid-tier Premier League set, so West Ham, Everton and potentially Aston Villa. It depends where Villa are in there. I think they need to sell as well, and I think they’ve got some concerns about wage bill.
“Obviously, it depends on the deal that’s available. But I think there will be a fair bit of interest as we get into late August for Grealish.
“But it will all be on a subsidised basis, so anywhere you go it’s bad for City.”
Man City set sights on new Lucas Paqueta bid
In terms of a potential incoming, Football Insider revealed on 1 August Man City are readying a new move for Lucas Paqueta after he’s been cleared in his spot-fixing case.
An £85million release clause became active in June 2023, with Guardiola‘s side ready to secure his signature at the time.
West Ham rejected Man City’s opening offer worth £70million, but the club’s executives were then anticipating a second bid before the FA investigation scuppered the deal.
Paqueta has featured heavily for the Hammers throughout pre-season as he remains a key figure at the London Stadium.
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