Jack Grealish transfer suspicions raised as Man City ace's driver comes clean on plane trip
Speculation surrounding Jack Grealish 's potential departure from Manchester City this summer has intensified after the England star left the UK. And the driver responsible for getting him to his final destination has shed light on the trip.
Grealish had an underwhelming season with City, recording just three goals and five assists across all competitions. His contributions in the Premier League were limited to one goal and one assist, with Pep Guardiola favouring Jeremy Doku and Savinho over the 29-year-old.
His limited involvement last season, his first at Manchester without any silverware, has led many to believe that Grealish is set to exit the club. And his omission from City's FIFA Club World Cup squad last month has only fuelled those theories.
A return to Aston Villa has been mooted for Grealish, who has also reportedly caught the eye of Newcastle. However, a move to join forces with Kevin De Bruyne at Napoli has also been suggested, per the Manchester Evening News.
City legend De Bruyne ended his decade-long association with the club this summer and opted to sign a two-year deal with the Italian giants. Napoli recently clinched their second Serie A title in three seasons as Antonio Conte immediately put the club back atop the Italian pyramid.
Although no official discussions have taken place to bring Grealish to Italy, his hefty wages are said to be a stumbling block. And it may mean City potentially have to subsidise part of his salary to facilitate the move.
Speculation over a potential transfer intensified after it emerged the winger had left the UK earlier this week, touching down in Naples. After his arrival at Capodichino airport, he was whisked away to the Amalfi Coast, and his driver, Salvatore, spoke on 'Radio Goal' about his brief time with Grealish.
"Grealish is still on the Amalfi Coast; I took him there," said the driver. "I can't tell you where he's training, but yes, he's here. I took him this morning; he's been here for two or three days now.
"Maybe he has some contact with Napoli. I picked him up at the airport, took him to the coast, and this morning he did his first training session. I can't ask him anything; he's on holiday and maybe some questions would bother him."
Guardiola previously addressed Grealish's limited game time last season amid swirling rumours regarding his future. But he attributed the Englishman's lack of involvement to nothing more than selection choices.
"The only reason he didn't play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever," said the City chief. "He's a top player, but the players have to compete with each other, and last season Doku was incredible in many games and Savinho made the step up for his first season."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bryan Mbeumo makes a good first impression as Ruben Amorim juggles his No 10 options... but Man United lack pace in key area: THINGS WE LEARNED from 2-2 draw with Everton
Manchester United concluded their U.S. tour with a 2-2 draw against Everton in an entertaining clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ruben Amorim 's side took the lead after 19 minutes when Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted home a penalty, awarded after James Tarkowski brought down Amad Diallo in the box. Everton equalised five minutes before half-time, with Iliman Ndiaye finishing clinically at the back post following a pinpoint cross from Idrissa Gueye. Mason Mount restored United's advantage in the 69th minute, showing composure to turn and fire past Jordan Pickford after a sharp move inside the box. However, the lead didn't last long. A bizarre own goal from Amad Diallo gifted Everton a second equaliser, ensuring a dramatic end to the contest. Despite the draw, United were crowned Premier League Summer Series champions. Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler was in Atlanta to reveal things we learned from the match. MBUEMO IMPRESSES THE build-up to Bryan Mbeumo's debut for Manchester United in the 2-2 draw with Everton was overshadowed by the club's pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and uncertainty over Rasmus Hojlund's future at Old Trafford, but the £71millon striker made a good first impression as he played the first 45 minutes at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Playing on the right side of a front three that had United's other new-boy Matheus Cunha starting through the middle and Bruno Fernandes on the left, Mbeumo linked up well with his two teammates and had some bright moments, notably the blind pass that released Amad Diallo when he won a penalty that was converted by Fernandes in the 19th minute. It will be interesting to see how Ruben Amorim deploys his assortment of No.10 players – which also includes Mason Mount – if he signs a new striker or Hojlund stays at the club. The Dane got on in the 72nd minute. Diallo is another who can play as a No.10 but he started in his alternative right wing-back role in Atlanta and benefitted from the work of the front three, emerging as arguably United's brightest player in the first period. The game was less than four minutes only when Fernandes released the Ivorian who slipped in Cunha but his effort was wide of the far post. James Tarkowski was furious when Diallo got on the end of a slick move by Fernandes, Mbeumo and Cunha to win the penalty, and the United man then brought a clumsy challenge from Vitalii Mykolenko when he pirouetted cheekily away from the Ukrainian shortly afterwards. Although United lacked a conventional centre-forward, there was a fluidity to their attack not dissimilar to what Sir Alex Ferguson achieved with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo when taking his team to Champions League glory in 2008 – although clearly this United have some way to go to reach that level. Mbeumo went off at half-time with Diallo reverting to a more advanced role, as Patrick Dorgu came on at left wing-back and Diogo Dalot switched to the right. Mount came on in the 59th minute to play wide on the right with Fernandes dropping deeper, and he scored United's second goal when Fernandes slipped a pass inside and he curled an excellent shot beyond Jordan Pickford. MIDFIELD LACKS PACE There have been some concerns about the lack of pace in United's midfield and it was highlighted again when Everton grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 40th minute in Atlanta. It appeared as though Amorim's side had cleared the danger when Matthijs de Ligt played the ball out to Manuel Ugarte on the edge of his own box, but the Uruguayan was sluggish and James Tarkowski stole in to rob the ball. Idrissa Gueye showed quick thinking to play a first-time cross towards the back post where Iliman Ndiaye reacted quicker than Bruno Fernandes to score with a clinical finish. United's other options in central midfield are 33-year-old veteran Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, and Amorim raised concerns over Mainoo's pace earlier in the tour. It highlights why United are considering signing a quicker No.6 before the end of the transfer window to inject a more speed into their midfield. Another option, of course, is Fernandes who dropped deeper for the final quarter of the game in Atlanta and got an assist on the second goal for Mount. KEEPER QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED The other area of the team United are looking at is a new goalkeeper amid question marks over Andre Onana's future at Old Trafford. The expectation is that the Cameroon international will stay and start, but United quoted Monaco £30m to sign Onana early in the window and they have made enquiries about Emi Martinez of Aston Villa and PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma. With Onana missing all the tour games due to a hamstring injury suffered on only the second day of pre-season training at Carrington, this was a chance for his No.2 Altay Bayindir to shine and it's fair to say the Turk didn't take his opportunity. Bayindir almost paid for an error in the seventh minute when he got down to save James Garner's 20-yard free kick but bundled the ball straight to Jake O'Brien who should have done better than guide it against the far post with the goal gaping. O'Brien then headed wide just before half-time, denying Everton the lead their first-half performance probably deserved. There was also a close call when Tim Iroegbunam raced through and touched the ball past a hesitant Bayindir to score but, luckily for the United keeper, he was just offside. Bayindir couldn't be faulted for Ndiaye's well-taken equaliser shortly afterwards, but the second goal was a mess as Diallo played the ball against Ayden Heaven and it trickled past a statuesque Bayindir as United conceded an own-goal for the second game in a row to draw with an Everton side who had lost their previous two games on tour. FEISTY FRIENDLY One of the benefits of playing in a Premier League Summer Series is the level of competition against old rivals is that bit keener than other tour games. United have played well to beat West Ham and Bournemouth in the US, but they came up against a feisty Everton in the last match in Atlanta. James Tarkowski gave Amad Diallo an earbashing after the Ivorian won a penalty in the first half, and there was a furious exchange in the build-up to Everton's second equaliser when Bruno Fernandes and Iliman Ndiaye clashed on the halfway line. Fernandes pursued the Everton man and appeared to clip him from behind, leading to an angry shoving match between them as play continued and the ball went in off Ayden Heaven. Ruben Amorim would probably rather have a game like this to test his players at this stage of pre-season, with United facing Arsenal in their Premier League opener in two weeks' time.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes in flare-up with Everton star as Man Utd own goal costs win
MAN UTD 2-2 EVERTON: Bryan Mbeumo made his first appearance in a United shirt, but Everton twice battled back to earn a draw in Atlanta after a bizarre Ayden Heaven own goal Manchester United and Everton played out a draw in the final game of the Premier League Summer Series at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead from the penalty spot, before Iliman Ndiaye equalised with a fine angled finish. Substitute Mason Mount restored United's lead, but an Ayden Heaven own goal 15 minutes from time ensured it ended honours even. Ruben Amorim's side lifted the trophy, after remaining unbeaten in the Stateside mini-tournament, with two wins and a draw. Here are five talking points from the final fixture of the US tour: BRYAN MBEUMO MAKES ENCOURAGING UNITED DEBUT Bryan Mbeumo made his long-awaited United debut, following his £71million move from Brentford, having sat out the first two tour games in the US to work on his fitness. Playing as a right-sided No.10, Mbeumo had a quiet start to the game, but played a role in United's opener, delivering a first-time pass to Amad, who won a generous penalty when he went down after little contact from James Tarkowski, with Fernandes converting from the spot. Mbeumo had earlier been involved in a slick attacking move involving Fernandes, Amad and Matheus Cunha, the latter unable to get his shot on target. Mbeumo was unlucky not to score just before the half-hour, when he had two shots blocked in quick succession, racing on to the loose ball after Jordan Pickford had blocked a Fernandes effort. Mbeumo was replaced at half-time by Patrick Dorgu and United's newest recruit still has work to do to get up to full fitness for the start of the new season. UGARTE STILL A LIABILITY AT TIMES Manuel Ugarte was one of United's most impressive players in their opening tour game, a 2-1 win over West Ham at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. Pressing high, winning back possession with tenacity and speed, Ugarte's high-tempo performance suggested he was in pole position to start United's Premier League opener at home to Arsenal on August 17. Here, though, the Uruguay midfielder's shortcomings resurfaced, never more so than in the 40th minute, when he attempted to bring the ball out from just outside of his own penalty area, only to be dispossessed by James Tarkowski. Idrissa Gueye picked up the loose ball and crossed for Iliman Ndiaye, who applied a clinical angled finish at the far post to make it 1-1. The goal was entirely Ugarte's fault and it remains to be seen if Amorim feels he can trust him to start against Arsenal. A HUGE SEASON AWAITS FOR MAINOO At the start of United's US tour, Amorim said he had 'big plans' for Kobbie Mainoo this season, in contrast to last term, when the England midfielder fell out of favour under his new boss. A sub for United's final three games, Maino came on with a minute left as United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. On tour, however, Amorim's selection and praise of Mainoo suggests the 21-year-old will play a bigger role in the upcoming season. 'Mainoo, with those feet, playing the ball, if he finds the right pace, I will find a new solution,' said Amorim. 'He's going to be faster.' Unlike Ugarte, Mainoo looked assured in midfield, with Fernandes – who played deeper in the previous game - operating higher up the pitch. Given the way last season fizzled out for him, the upcoming one is one of huge significance for Mainoo, for club and country, with the World Cup back here in the US at the end of it. MASON MOUNT GOAL A TIMELY REMINDER OF HIS QUALITY Having been a hostage to injury for most of his two seasons at United, following his £60m move from Chelsea, Mason Mount has become a somewhat forgotten man. Although he ended last season on a positive note, returning to the starting line-up for the Europa League final and scoring three goals, the jury remains out on Mount because of his unavailability through injury. But on tour he has looked sharp and, most importantly, free from the persistent injury issues that have held him back from showing his best since joining United. Here, Mount showcased his goal threat, producing a fine angled finish 10 minutes after coming on in the second-half, to put United ahead. Although there will be huge competition at United next season, with one game a week following their failure to qualify for Europe, Mount has served notice he can play a key role and make up for lost time. FERNANDES AND NDIAYE FLARE-UP GIVES EDGE TO GAME Too often, these pre-season games can be insipid affairs, where players play within themselves to avoid injury or overload before the start of the new campaign. But there has been a competitive edge to all six games as part of the Premier League Summer series and, in this encounter, some needle between United skipper Fernandes and Everton goalscorer Iliman Ndiaye. Deep into the second-half, Fernandes tried to recover the ball from Ndiaye, with a robust challenge from behind that the Senegal forward deemed too excessive. Pushes were exchanged between Fernandes and Ndiaye, with team-mates rushing to intervene between them, while play continued and Everton made it 2-2 with an own goal from Ayden Heaven. When the dust had settled on their flare-up, Fernandes and Ndiaye made up, but not before both had been shown yellow cards.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Premier League 2025-26 preview No 1: Arsenal
Guardian writers' predicted position: 2nd (NB: this is not necessarily Ed Aarons' prediction but the average of our writers' tips) Last season's position: 2nd Mikel Arteta vowed this would be a 'big summer' after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for a third season in succession and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on a number of signings in his first transfer window. The question now for Arsenal supporters is whether Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga can help them take that elusive final step to becoming champions for the first time since the Invincibles in 2004. The arrival of Gyökeres will certainly quieten the clamour for a new No 9 that has rumbled on for several years, although the pressure will immediately be on the Sweden striker to hit the ground running. Longstanding target Zubimendi should provide metronomic accuracy at the base of a new-look midfield that Arteta will hope can continue to get the best out of Declan Rice and rejuvenate the captain Martin Ødegaard, while Madueke will surely provide much better back-up for their talisman Bukayo Saka than Raheem Sterling managed last season and could also push Gabriel Martinelli for a starting place on the left flank. But even with the teenage sensations Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri having committed their futures to the club after enjoying outstanding breakthrough seasons, there remain concerns about a lack of creativity in the squad. A move for Crystal Palace's FA Cup hero Eberechi Eze could depend on players departing before the end of August to balance the books. Yet while Arsenal may end up paying more than £200m for the additions to their squad so far, seeing champions Liverpool comfortably outspend them after finishing 10 points ahead last season has left many fans wondering if they have gone far enough. The squad definitely looks stronger than this time last year but with other rivals also closing in, it could be make or break for Arteta. Ending yet another campaign without silverware was a bitter pill to swallow for Arteta, who celebrated his fifth anniversary in charge just before Christmas. A solitary FA Cup a few months later is not a fair reflection on the progress Arsenal have made since then – especially given the run to the Champions League semi-finals last season – but Arteta knows he will be ultimately judged on delivering titles. He made no secret of his frustration over the lack of cover in Arsenal's squad as the injuries mounted up last year. With plenty of reinforcements now added, Arteta must seize his opportunity. The surprise departure of Edu Gaspar in November disrupted plans for the January transfer window but Berta has provided some fresh perspective since joining in March. Arsenal's American owners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, were rated as the most valuable sports ownership group on the planet in July at an estimated $21.3bn (£16.1bn) thanks to a portfolio that also includes the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the NBA's Denver Nuggets. So funding another summer spending spree wasn't an issue after keeping their powder relatively dry last year. They – like Arsenal's supporters, who pay for one of the most expensive season tickets in the country – however, will want a return for their investment at some point. No Arsenal player managed 10 goals in the Premier League last season so the onus is on Gyökeres – who scored a staggering 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting – to fill the void. The only issue is that the 27-year-old never played in English football's top flight despite being on Brighton's books and then excelling in the Championship for Coventry. He will be expecting to get plenty of opportunities in a side that usually dominates their opponents in midfield but struggled to break teams down last season, drawing 14 times in the league. Having eventually opted for Gyökeres rather than RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko or Alexander Isak of Newcastle, Arsenal must now find a way to utilise his obvious strengths. It is highly probable that only Premier League regulations prevented Max Dowman from taking Nwaneri's record as the competition's youngest ever player last season. The attacking midfielder has been training with Arsenal's first team squad since celebrating his 15th birthday at the turn of the year and was described as 'special' by Arteta after coming off the bench to win a penalty in their pre-season win against Newcastle in Singapore. 'What he's done against this team in the time that he had on the pitch is something certainly not common to witness for a 15-year-old,' he said. Dowman is expected to be handed an opportunity sooner rather than later and it will be intriguing to see what impact he can have. Martin Ødegaard was the first to admit that his performances last season lacked their usual sparkle, with a return of three league goals his lowest since moving to north London permanently in 2021. The 26-year-old captain was also substituted on 12 occasions after missing part of the season due to an ankle injury as he struggled to find his best form. The Norwegian must rekindle his relationship with Saka that has proved so effective down the years, while Arteta will be hoping that Gyökeres can finish off some of the chances Ødegaard will inevitably create given the lack of other options besides the inexperienced Nwaneri and Dowman.
