Transfer Talk: City to fund Bellingham bid with Grealish sale

Manchester City are willing to sell Jack Grealish in order to raise funds to sign Jude Bellingham.

Grealish, 27, joined the Citizens for a British record £100million fee in August 2021 but has just four goals and three assists in 34 Premier League outings for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Aston Villa academy graduate has played a peripheral role for England at the World Cup, earning only 55 minutes of action in the Three Lions’ three group stage games.

Football Insider claim Grealish is now seen as an expendable asset by Etihad chiefs, who will place the playmaker on the transfer market to finance an approach for Borussia Dortmund teenager Bellingham.

Bellingham, 19, is seen as one of Europe’s finest young talents and is likely to leave the Bundesliga next summer.

Although French media have heavily linked Paris Saint-Germain with a move for the English midfielder, City are braced to meet his price tag which is expected to smash the record sum paid for Grealish.

Bellingham has started all three games for England in Qatar and has struck nine goals in 22 appearances for Dortmund so far this term.

Although his contract at the German giants does not expire until 2025, the 6ft 1in ace is expected to depart Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season.

In other news

The Express understand Real Madrid have identified England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as a possible replacement for Karim Benzema. 

Canada and Lille striker Jonathan David has expressed an interest in joining either Chelsea or United, say The Sun.

Italian media report Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested in Spain and Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio.