Newcastle United have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Jack Grealish of Manchester City.
Newcastle United may have just been handed a huge boost in any Jack Grealish transfer pursuit this summer, with the Man City playmaker tipped to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The England international has made 32 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side this season, with three goals and five assists to his name.
However, of the 20 Premier League matches he's featured in this season, he's played 90 minutes on just three occasions, playing 715 minutes in the top flight in total.
That lack of game time and dip in form has seen him linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer. Chronicle Live reported earlier this year that Newcastle had been offered Grealish ahead of the summer transfer window, though his wages would likely be a sticking point in negotiations.
Earlier this year, when asked directly if a move for Grealish was realistic, Eddie Howe told Chronicle Live: "Financially? [Are we able to sign a player like that?]. I don't believe currently we have."
The England international earns a reported £300,000 per week and Newcastle would have to smash their current wage structure if they were to sign Grealish, with a loan move touted as a potential avenue to explore.
Journalist David Ornstein has now given an update on Grealish's future at Man City and says he expects the winger to leave the club this summer, with a loan the most likely way out.
Ornstein told NBC Sports Soccer: "I would see Jack Grealish potentially departing before the end of the window, maybe it would have to be on loan because of his very high salary. It's a really big window for Hugo Viana the new sporting director at Manchester City, who'll be taking over from Txiki Begiristain on a permanent basis working directory with Pep Guardiola.
"I think they're going to spend big again. They'll need to get this window right."
However, Newcastle know they would have to cover the cost of a huge chunk of Grealish's wages, which are currently double what the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon are currently earning.
It would also put pressure on Alexander Isak contract talks this summer, with the Toon keen on tying down their star striker to a new deal at St. James' Park.
Grealish was spotted enjoying a night out in Newcastle earlier this year, adding further fuel to the fire regarding a potential move to Tyneside and the player himself is said to be open to a move to St. James' Park.