Fabrizio Romano has addressed rumours linking Manchester City forward Jack Grealish with a move away from the club.
A recent report from GiveMeSport claimed that Grealish could be involved in a swap deal with Arsenal for Bukayo Saka.
CaughtOffside columnist Haydn Dodge also hinted that Grealish could be on his way out as Manchester City look to continue to comply with FFP regulations.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now had his say on the Grealish situation, speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside via his Substack column.
“I haven’t heard anything regarding negotiations for Jack Grealish on player or club side. It’s January, so it’s too early to think about summer moves. City keep protecting him in public and private statements.”
Offloading Grealish so soon after bringing him to the club doesn’t seem like a smart idea from Manchester City – a club that usually nail their transfer dealings.
Multiple players have taken time to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s system, such as Joao Cancelo, so it could just take a little time for Grealish to become worth the price tag they paid for him.
Patience is undoubtedly required for Manchester City fans with Grealish and an understanding that even when he’s not scoring goals or making goals, he’s still contributing to the team in other ways.
How Manchester City could line up against Manchester United
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be hoping to have John Stones fit for Saturday’s Manchester derby against rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Stones missed the 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final defeat at Southampton on Wednesday night as he was not deemed fully fit for the trip to St Mary’s.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old is likely to return to the starting lineup against the Red Devils, although fellow centre-back Ruben Dias remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Aymeric Laporte started both of City’s last two matches in the domestic cups, but his position in the back four could come under threat from Manuel Akanji, while Nathan Ake may be preferred over Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez at left-back.
Kyle Walker operated as a centre-back in the first half against Southampton, a tactical alteration that ultimately did not pay off for Guardiola, and the experienced defender is expected to switch back to right-back on Saturday, starting ahead of teenager Rico Lewis to counteract the threat of Man United’s in-form attacker Marcus Rashford.
In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne is set to be recalled to the first XI after beginning the last two games on the substitutes’ bench, while Rodri is poised to start ahead of Kalvin Phillips, who was handed his full debut in the deep-lying role on Wednesday. Either Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan will likely complete the midfield three.
Top scorer Erling Braut Haaland, who netted a hat-trick in the 6-3 home triumph against United in October, is expected to lead the line up front, while Phil Foden, who also scored three against the Red Devils last time out, faces competition from Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez to join the Norwegian in attack.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Source: caughtoffside.com; sportsmole.co.uk
