Exclusive with Graeme Bailey
The future of Jack Grealish at Manchester City is yet to be decided.
The winger endured his worst season at the Etihad Stadium last time around as the Englishman fell down the pecking order at Man City, which eventually led to Pep Guardiola leaving Grealish out of his squad for the FIFA Club World Cup.
That was a major wake-up call for the 29-year-old, who needs to leave Manchester if he has ambitions to play at the World Cup with England next summer, as the former Aston Villa star will not get the minutes at Man City this season to impress Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
Grealish has never wanted to leave Man City; however, it may be necessary, and West Ham are the latest club to enquire about the English winger.
West Ham join the race for Jack Grealish
Grealish has been linked to several clubs so far throughout the summer transfer window; however, no team has submitted an official proposal for the winger due to the finances involved in signing the 29-year-old.
Man City want £50m to sell Grealish this summer, while his £300,000-a-week wages make a loan move difficult for many clubs.
Nevertheless, interest remains, and transfer expert Graeme Bailey has provided an exclusive update to Manchester City News about Grealish’s current situation.
“There is major interest in Jack Grealish and a lot of clubs would like to take him, but this is a complicated deal given the money he is on,” Bailey said.
“Grealish is very settled in Manchester, but he still has hope of making the England World Cup squad, and he knows he can’t do this from the bench at the Etihad.
“Everton and David Moyes like him, his former club Aston Villa, and Tottenham all believe he has something to offer them.
“West Ham are the latest club to come in, but as it stands, none are looking at permanent deals as a likely or viable option.
“City would like a sale, but realistically, they know it is going to be a loan, then it will be up to Grealish to decide on his future.”
Would West Ham suit Jack Grealish
It is hard to tell if West Ham would be a good fit for Grealish, as Graham Potter’s style is similar to Guardiola’s, with the English coach favouring possession-based football that emphasises full control of the game.
That didn’t suit the winger at Man City; however, Potter’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation would likely see the England star operate as a number 10, a role City fans have been calling for Grealish to have at the Etihad Stadium in recent months, which could prove the difference.
Grealish would take over the role of Mohammed Kudus at West Ham, but it remains to be seen if their interest becomes anything serious.
Other clubs may suit Grealish better, such as Everton, but West Ham will certainly be a team that intrigues the Man City star.
