Manchester City are reportedly set to retain the services of Jack Grealish ahead of the new season.
The 29-year-old has been forced to settle for a bit-part role at the Etihad this term, starting only seven matches across the Premier League schedule to date.
Despite this, Grealish earned a significant nod from head coach Pep Guardiola on Sunday afternoon, starting the FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest.
The former Aston Villa attacker played 71 minutes for the Citizens, who secured a final showdown with Crystal Palace in May courtesy of strikes from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol.
Grealish netted his only goal of the league campaign to date earlier this month, when Man City managed a routine 2-0 win over Leicester City on the blue side of Manchester.
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Man City make Grealish 'loan decision'
According to talkSPORT, Manchester City have decided the immediate future of £100m man Grealish ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report states that the Citizens are unwilling to sanction a temporary move away from the Etihad for the player before the start of the 2025-26 term.
Both former club Villa and struggling Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with potential swoops for England international Grealish during the summer trading point.
However, it is understood that Man City want to keep the 29-year-old, who is perceived as one of the experienced heads in Guardiola's squad.
The Citizens have already lost the services of veteran Kyle Walker to AC Milan, with legendary midfielder Kevin de Bruyne departing at the end of this campaign.
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Grealish's influence is waning
Across 31 competitive appearances for Man City this season, Grealish has managed just three goals and five assists, highlighting his struggles of late.
The ex-Villan has never been a machine in terms of attacking output, leaving the majority to question whether his £100m price-tag was justified in 2021.
Regardless, Man City are in line for a mammoth loss on the player when he eventually exits, although that departure is set to be delayed until the summer of 2026 at least.
Carter White
