Jack Grealish delivers emphatic response to Man City's 'blockbuster £200m transfer plan'

Jack Grealish responded to Manchester City’s £200million transfer plan with another outstanding display for England. Grealish has returned to the forefront of the England team with two impressive performances after the agony of being left out of the Euro 2024 squad this summer.

In contrast to Gareth Southgate, new England head coach Lee Carsley has displayed faith in the 29-year-old by recalling him to the squad in his first international break in charge. Grealish, who has looked a shadow of the player he was at Aston Villa since his £100m move to City in 2021, started both of the recent Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

He thrived in both games, getting on the scoresheet against Ireland despite being targeted with boos and delivering another all-action display in the latter. Grealish will hope his performances have sent a message to Pep Guardiola and can convince the City boss that he can play a greater role this season and beyond for the reigning Premier League champions after his lacklustre form last term.

His less-than-inspiring displays for City have given way to suggestions that Guardiola is looking to replace him next summer, with one or both of Germany internationals Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. TalkSPORT reported earlier this week that a “double Bundesliga raid is a distinct possibility”, despite the two attacking midfielders costing over £200m in total.

Wirtz, 21, won last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Season award with Bayer Leverkusen as they ended a historic campaign unbeaten. Meanwhile, former England youth star Jamal Musiala, 21, is another dream target for City thanks to his elusive dribbling and threat in the final third.

Grealish, however, responded to the news in the best way and has received widespread plaudits since being deployed in a more central position for England recently, as opposed to hugging the touchline on the left flank. The confidence he played with while being given freedom to roam was reminiscent of his Aston Villa days and could be his future role in the national team.

Grealish, who created two chances against Finland and played two key passes against Ireland, was praised by former England striker Ian Wright, who said on Tuesday night: “Grealish was really progressive, taking people on, dictating, exactly what you want to see, getting past people, what we know he’s great at doing.

“We haven’t seen so much of it at Man City, but we’ve seen it in the last couple of games for England. Again, it comes down to the opposition. But it’s great to see him playing in that style, and hopefully it can be enough to force him into this [England] team.”

The Englishman was in and out of City’s starting line-up last season, only featuring in 20 Premier League games. He has just 14 goals and 18 assists to his name in 127 appearances for the club. He has played just two times so far this season and he’ll be hoping his performances for England have caught the eye of Guardiola ahead of City’s return to action against Brentford this weekend.