Breaking News: Jack Grealish’s transfer to Arsenal appears to be 80% successful as they draw closer to…
Former Aston Villa favourite Jack Grealish could be set for a sensational switch to Premier League rivals Arsenal after the England international failed to cement a place in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City’s starting XI last season.
Despite being part of the Premier League-winning squad, Grealish found it challenging to feature in the first team consistently. The 28 year old made 36 appearances for City in the 2023/24 season, contributing three goals and three assists.
His game time at Man City was significantly reduced to just 2,124 minutes compared to 3,495 minutes the previous season. Guardiola commented on Grealish’s situation in February, saying: “It depends on him,” and added, “I try to be fair in my decision. We make mistakes but… so if he plays a lot of minutes last season and this season a little bit less in the beginning, it is the same player, the same manager, the same way we want to play.”
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“The same. Nothing changed, it’s just how you perform that is the difference and we need him. I said from the day one we need him, having a special quality for our team. We need him. It depends on him. Hopefully he can do a good last month.”
With the competition for places at City already fierce, Grealish’s position could be further threatened by the expected arrival of 20 year old Savio from Troyes, another club within the City Football Group network, reports Football London.
Savio turned heads during his loan spell at Girona last season, notching up 11 goals and providing 10 assists in 41 outings for the Spanish club. The Brazilian winger is tipped to join Manchester City in a £40million deal.
With Jeremy Doku also in Pep Guardiola’s squad, Jack Grealish could see his playing time dwindle even more if Savio remains at City for the 2024/25 season instead of heading out on another loan.
“Despite many proposals, Manchester City decide to bring him back as Savio can be an important player,” Fabrizio Romano revealed on Facebook. “Formal steps expected to follow after Copa America.”
Grealish’s limited action last season saw him miss out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, selected by Gareth Southgate, which might make him consider a move away from Manchester in the coming summer. Arsenal could potentially be a new destination.
For many Villa fans – it’s time for him to come home to B6. whether or not that is realistic or not, is another argument entirely, and everyone has a different opinion on it.
The former Villa captain has won seven pieces of silverware at Man City since joining them in the summer of 2021, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League. But after suffering the devastating blow following a stop-start league campaign, where does Grealish go from here?
Can Villa afford him? Would they even want him? One player who knows the true value of a flair player out wide, is none other than former England winger Chris Waddle.
The former Spurs and Marseille man believes that there are only two English clubs that suit Grealish, Villa and Chelsea.
Speaking to Betway, he stated: “If you’re buying Grealish, are you buying him as a winger? Tottenham like pace, Jack is not blessed with pace. You’d have to play him in a number 10 role, and they already have James Maddison for that.
“So Spurs no, and I wouldn’t say Arsenal either. Liverpool play a very high tempo game, so I’m not sure about there too. What you’re looking at is, would you play Grealish as a winger or a number 10, or midfield player? If I was buying him I’d be looking to play him in the middle. He does a job on the wing, but wingers create, get round the back, and Jack can’t get round the back.
“Yeah, he doesn’t give the ball away and doesn’t take a lot of risks, gives the side balance. But I think I’d be looking at his old club Aston Villa, I’d be looking to play him in that three in the middle of the park. I’m not sure about Newcastle, they play a high tempo and press. I think he has to go to a side where they are looking to play him as a midfield player.
“Chelsea could be an outside bet with Gallagher possibly going, you could see him playing that midfield role. He’d be more effective there. He’s got vision, he can see things, he’s good at give and go. But he’s stuck on that wing, you’re thinking there is surely more in his locker.
“So if I was a top club looking for a winger, I’d be looking at players ahead of Grealish.”
According to football. london, Edu and Arteta are intent on bolstering the Gunners’ ranks before August 30, aiming for a third consecutive Premier League title bid.
While a central midfielder tops their wishlist, football. london has learned that the North London outfit is also scouting for a forward-line player.
Grealish could be a significant improvement on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, bringing a winning mentality to the Gunners squad. The former Aston Villa player might even feature in Arsenal’s midfield, possibly in one of the No.8 positions if Arteta sees fit.
City’s No. 10 is valued at £50million by Transfermarkt, although City may demand a much higher fee.
Whether Arsenal holds any interest in Grealish remains unclear, but with Savio apparently set to join Guardiola’s side, it would be unwise for Edu not to consider a move.
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