Napoli hold Jack Grealish reservations as Premier League giant ruled out in transfer race | OneFootball

One Premier League giant has been ruled out of the running for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, despite being originally linked with the England forward.

The England international is in the midst of an uncertain summer when it comes to his club future and is believed to be weighing up his options having agreed with Manchester City’s blessing to depart the side after four seasons.

Concerns over Grealish’s place in Pep Guardiola’s plans arose as a direct result of inconsistent performances when called upon during the two seasons that have followed the historic Treble-winning campaign of 2022/23.

Despite being integral to that success from the viewpoint of many within and around the club, Grealish’s inability to hold down the left-wing berth or break into the central roles in Guardiola’s line-up have meant that he no longer has a place in the first-team squad.

Missing from the now-ongoing FIFA Club World Cup camp in the United States, Jack Grealish is free to bring about a proposal from any side in the game at present, although there remains some concerns over the finances of a potential move.

According to the information of The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Napoli will not match Grealish’s wages as they weigh up whether to make an offer for the outgoing Manchester City forward this summer – who is understood to earn in the region of £300,000-per-week.

Interest from the Italian champions dates back to January and coach Antonio Conte ‘rates’ the 29-year-old, although no approach has been made by Napoli at this stage and it could be that City would have to fund as much as 50 per cent of the player’s salary to make a move realistic.

From the side of Manchester City, it is claimed that club officials are ‘optimistic’ they will receive offers to sell Grealish permanently, but other sources believe an initial loan move is more likely.

Within the Premier League, the report reveals that Tottenham Hotspur – who had recently been linked with interest in the England international – are not expected to enter the race to sign the former Aston Villa captain.

A move to the Serie A champions in Napoli could bring about a reunion with the legendary Kevin De Bruyne, who exited the Etihad Stadium himself following the most-recent season after club officials decided not to offer renewed terms on his expiring contract.

Speaking as part of a recorded video message to the iconic Belgium international released after De Bruyne’s final home match for Manchester City, Jack Grealish said, “Thank you for everything.

“You were a big reason why I wanted to join this club in the first place; to play with you. It’s been a pleasure,” he added. “The best player I’ve ever played with, for sure.

“I’m going to miss you around the place, and obviously being my sauna buddy as well, I’m going to miss you in there.”

Other possible destinations for Jack Grealish in the Premier League could yet include the likes of Everton, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, with the former known to be holding big ambitions in the market as they prepare for life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It remains to be seen whether a move outside of the European game could attract Grealish, with some reports pointing towards the likes of Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer in the United States as possible destinations.