Newcastle are reportedly plotting a loan move for Manchester City forward Jack Grealish. The winger is expected to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, having fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola and England boss Thomas Tuchel hinting that he needs to leave in search of more game time.
However, Grealish’s wage demands are likely to prove a stumbling block in negotiations with any suitors. The versatile forward is currently being paid £300,000-per-week by City, and such salary demands are hard for the majority of clubs around Europe to match.
According to The Sun, Newcastle will ‘try to rescue’ Grealish, but they are only willing to make an approach for the 29-year-old if City are willing to entertain loan offers.
Any loan deal could centre around fees involved, and Newcastle may reportedly look to strike a deal by offering to pay all of Grealish’s monstrous wages and not paying any fee to acquire his services. City could even look to contribute to their forward’s wages as part of an agreement too.
Newcastle are firmly in the market for attacking reinforcements, despite not anticipating losing Alexander Isak to a rival – despite interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. The Magpies have also been linked with Brighton forward Joao Pedro, who is capable of playing as a No. 10 and on the wing when required.
Grealish’s likely departure is expected to be one of several big names to leave City this summer, with Guardiola wanting to markedly reshuffle his ranks after a disappointing campaign. Kevin De Bruyne, who is Napoli-bound, was the first blockbuster departure, and John Stones and Kyle Walker likely to follow the Belgian out of the Etihad exit.
City are looking to inject fresh quality into their ranks and are closing in on a trio of new signings. They have reached an agreement worth £34million to sign Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri which should be finalised in time for the left-back to feature at the Club World Cup.
Similarly, AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki are also expected to join City before the team jet off to the United States. Further signings are expected this summer, though they may have to wait until the transfer window resumes.