Liverpool could play an important role in saving Jack Grealish from his Manchester City nightmare this summer. The former Aston Villa talisman has been left out of Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad and put up for sale, with City hoping to recoup some of the £100million they paid four years ago, or at least ease some strain on the wage bill.
They may have to settle for the latter, as reports indicate that City have not received any permanent offers for Grealish during the current window. It is thought that Etihad bosses are becoming increasingly open to loaning him out, with Newcastle United, Everton, Villa and Bayer Leverkusen touted as possible destinations. But the 29-year-old's eye-watering £300,000-a-week wages would likely be an insurmountable hurdle for all four suitors unless City foot some of the bill themselves.
Grealish may need a leg-up to find a way out of City this summer, and Liverpool could be the club to provide it. According to The Sun, the Reds are mulling over a huge £100m swoop for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.
Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and the Magpies may be tempted to sell in order to boost their PSR position. If a space opens up on the left wing in Eddie Howe's starting line-up, the report adds that Grealish could be the man to fill it.
Despite the vast riches of Newcastle's Saudi owners, any move for Grealish would be expected to take the form of a loan deal, unless he is willing to take a hefty pay cut.
The England man was once one of the most sought-after creative stars in the Premier League, but his stock has fallen since failing to become a consistent difference-maker under Guardiola.
Grealish did play an important role in City's treble-winning season of 2022/23, making 50 appearances across all competitions and scoring five goals. But he has only netted six times across all competitions in the two years since, and he spent much of last campaign on the fringes.
If Newcastle losing Gordon is the key to Grealish securing an Etihad exit, the Birmingham-born star will be reliant on Liverpool having deep pockets.
A prospective nine-figure move for Gordon would follow a Premier League-record deal for Florian Wirtz, who is set to sign from Bayer Leverkusen for around £116m. The Reds have already splashed £29.5m on Jeremie Frimpong this summer, and £45m-rated Milos Kerkez looks set to follow him to Anfield.