Super-agent Mendes 'takes' Grealish replacement to Man City

Stuart Telford

• 27 Apr 2024 06:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Jack Grealish's Manchester City future looks increasingly uncertain with super-agent Jorge Mendes reportedly ready to take his replacement to the Etihad.

Grealish cost City a then-British record £100 million when he joined from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, and he initially flourished, with Erling Haaland in particular enjoying playing alongside him.

But his playing time has diminished, and this season each of Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku have occupied the wide attacking areas more often than he has.

READ MORE: Latest Man City transfer rumours

Villa might like to take Grealish back - although he would be prohibitively expensive if City looked to recoup most of their initial outlay - but his position is nonetheless under pressure…

… and set to come under yet more, with AC Milan star Rafa Leao reportedly rising to the top of Pep Guardiola's shopping list.

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) June 2, 2023

Mendes would 'take' Leao to City

El Nacional (via Football 365) have reported that: "Manchester City may act upon their interest in the summer window with the help of Jorge Mendes, who would take Leao to City."

The report continues that City would also listen offers for Bernardo, who is attracting the interest of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal. It is understood he prefers a move to Spain.

READ MORE: Man City’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Leao is valued at €68.6 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and official data partner SciSports tags his potential ability at 125.1, which is clear of Grealish's 121.6.

Leao has 13 goals and just as many assists across all competitions for Milan this season, and they bolted him down to a new five-year deal last June.

Grealish is far from the only player who could leave Man Cituy this summer, with Guardiola understood to be ready to part ways with Matheus Nunes, Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips among others.

Cancelo and Phillips are on loan at Barcelona and West Ham respectively.