Erik ten Hag has identified an out-of-favour Premier League star to replace Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, reports claim.
Germany international Wirtz is being heavily courted by Liverpool, who are still pushing to sign him after a £113 million bid was turned down.
Leverkusen want £126 million for their top talent but the Daily Mail say Liverpool are likely to present a final offer of £118 million which they hope will seal the deal.
The Bundesliga giants have already sold Jeremie Frimpong to the Premier League champions, while Xabi Alonso left to take the Real Madrid job.
But Leverkusen moved quickly to bring in former United boss Ten Hag, who is already looking to make his mark on the side.
According to The Sun, Ten Hag wants Manchester City star Jack Grealish to fill the void Wirtz will likely leave.
Grealish does not appear to have a future at the Etihad Stadium and is set to be left out of City's Club World Cup squad, with former club Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Napoli are said to be interested.
However, Leverkusen are keen - with Ten Hag said to have told Leverkusen officials that Grealish is the “perfect replacement” for Wirtz despite recent difficulties and lack of gametime.
Jack Grealish's days at Manchester City look to be numbered. Image: Getty
Jack Grealish's days at Manchester City look to be numbered. Image: Getty
Thomas Tuchel has told Grealish what he has to do to return to England
Having made just seven Premier League starts last season and Pep Guardiola hinted at an exit, England boss Thomas Tuchel has said Grealish needs to be playing regular football in order to work his way into his plans.
"He needs to make himself available by playing," Tuchel said.
"I think it's one of his key strengths. To go every three days and get better and better with every minute that he has in his legs. That's what is missing, nothing else.
"I love Jack for his personality and, of course, his talent. He is a very unique player who can handle big pressure on the field. He is never shy of pressure. It's the opposite.
"He grows in big matches, but he's a player who needs minutes and minutes and minutes and simply does not get them for a very long time. Nothing has changed."
City are reportedly willing to take a £60 million hit on their club-record signing, while Newcastle have expressed interest in a loan deal where they will hope his parent club can cover the bulk of his £300,000-a-week wages.