4 weeks ago
74
Manchester City find themselves in an unusual position with Jack Grealish this summer, as they search for an exit route for a player no longer wanted at the Etihad, but where financial considerations are proving a hindrance to any potential deal.
City's transfer market hit rate has been so high that they don't often end up in this situation. Grealish is by far the most high-profile flop in recent years, and even that description is maybe a little harsh given how good he was in the treble season.
He's not kicked on since then, however, and his £100million transfer fee and £300-a-week wages are now problems to be navigated. That fee isn't too disastrous, given City's comfortable position within the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but the salary is an issue.
City and Grealish would prefer a permanent departure this summer, which would mean a huge hit on that fee, but no club would be willing to match that salary, given the 29-year-old's two difficult years. Only a handful would be willing to get close to £200,000-a-week during the more straitened times of the PSR era.
That makes a loan move far more likely as the window progresses, unless City agree to some kind of deal with Grealish to continue topping up some of his salary after a permanent sale.
Even with a loan move, any potential suitor would only pay a portion of that salary, leaving City on the hook for a good chunk of Grealish's wages while he plays elsewhere. The hope would be that a good season elsewhere would restore some of his value and open the door for a permanent sale in 2026.
City will try to work on a solution to this dilemma between now and the end of the transfer window, but they only have to look across town to see how hard it can be. Manchester United's squad includes five players banished by Ruben Amorim and only allowed to train after 5pm, but none of them have yet been moved on.
It's a reminder of how successful City's business has been. When looking at transfer activity in recent years, there are very few failures when it comes to substantial outlays. Kalvin Phillips is one, and City are in a similar position to him with Grealish, but his lower salary should make a departure more routine when he returns to fitness.
Beyond that, it's difficult to find any deals that truly failed. Benjamin Mendy's time at the club became a write-off for different reasons, while Joao Cancelo was forced out due to issues over attitude rather than performance.
City's hit-rate when they spend upwards of £25million on a player is outstanding, which puts Grealish in a club pretty much on his own. It also means the club are entering new territory this summer when they try to find a solution for the England international.
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