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Jack Grealish is expected to leave Manchester City this summer and Everton are among the teams linked with a move.
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Jack Grealish has been offered a Manchester City escape route by his former manager - but the wideman is set to remain in England amid transfer interest from Everton.
Grealish's future is away from the Etihad after the England international was left out of the Club World Cup squad and with City having strengthened their midfield further in the summer transfer window.
Everton have emerged as candidates to sign the 29-year-old while a host of clubs have been linked with the City man, who joined the Blues for £100million in 2022.
He arrived from Aston Villa and his boss in the Midlands - Dean Smith - admitted he would love to be reunited with his former charge in America.
Smith is manager of Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC and spoke this week about the prospect of adding a big name to his squad. The MLS has attracted some significant signings in recent years with Son Heung-min the latest. The South Korea star is set to join LAFC from Tottenham and his arrival swells the number of big-name players in the States which also includes Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.
Smith has his own big-hitter at Charlotte in Wilfried Zaha and still has a Designated Player spot available in his squad which would in theory allow Grealish to move to North Carolina.
But Smith, who forged a close relationship with Grealish during their time together at Villa, doesn't see the City man moving across the Atlantic at this stage in his career.
“I’ve been on to Jack Grealish every week since I’ve been here about coming over, but he’s unfinished business there (in the Premier League). It doesn't help when the team you are playing for you have won three Premier League titles, a Champions league title, an FA Cup and a League Cup.
Theoretically, a move to Charlotte would be feasible, given that the team still has one Designated Player roster spot available alongside Zaha and Liel Abada.
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