Manchester City now need to set about trimming their squad, after signing four players this summer.
Attention will soon turn to pre-season, following the club’s participation in the Club World Cup.
Manchester City fell short, losing to Al-Hilal in the Round of 16.
That was disappointing, and a real indicator that City have fallen quite far in recent times.
But Pep Guardiola is defiant and will ensure there is a reaction from his team in 2025/26. That much is clear from the way City attacked the start of the transfer window.
But the Spaniard famously doesn’t like working with a big squad, and now the club will work to get players out.
And one man who is expected to leave, is Jack Grealish.
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish coveted by Saudi clubs
According to Caught Offside, Jack Grealish has several Saudi clubs on his tail at the moment.
Grealish won’t be staying at City for 2025/26, and his omission from the Club World Cup squad was very telling.
He’s not in the plans of Pep Guardiola, and the plan is to move him on.
But Grealish’s high wages could prove prohibitive for a lot of clubs.
It is, therefore, no surprise to see that Saudi clubs are now getting involved.
Caught Offside say that Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, and Neom SC have made the first moves to sign Grealish, with each club making a lucrative offer that would make Grealish one of the highest-paid players in the world.
The interest of Al-Ahli is particularly interesting, because that is Riyad Mahrez’s team.
Mahrez left City in 2023 after winning the Treble to join Al-Ahli in a deal worth around £30 million.
It is thought City would hope for around £40 million if they were to sell Grealish.
Grealish should snub Saudi Arabia
Grealish could very easily go to Saudi Arabia.
Obviously, he is one of the highest-paid players in England at the moment, but the finances would not be a problem for these Saudi clubs – unlike clubs in Europe.
But Grealish should really consider not going there, and instead lowering his wages and remaining in Europe.
Grealish is still only 29, and still has so much to give, and a lot to prove, having fallen by the wayside at City.
It would be a major shame to see him go to Saudi, rather than seek to rebuild his reputation in a more competitive league.
We will see where he heads. It has been claimed Grealish would be keen on a return to Aston Villa.
There is probably great temptation to go and link up with Mahrez, but Grealish surely ought to see what offers come his way from European clubs first before making any decision.
