Manchester City Cash In on Squad Player While Jack Grealish Eyes Departure

Maximo Perrone might not be the only player heading for the Manchester City exit, with Jack Grealish potentially following suit as speculation about the England star's peripheral role at the club intensifies.

City announced on Friday that they had finalized a permanent transfer with Cesc Fàbregas's Como for Perrone's move. The Argentine midfielder arrived at Pep Guardiola's team from Vélez Sarsfield in 2023 for approximately £8 million ($10.8 million) and is understood to have departed for a fee that could reach £13 million ($17.5 million).

This marks a solid financial return for a player who featured in just two matches wearing City's colors. Perrone spent nearly all of his two-and-a-half-year stint at the club away on loan spells. Following his time with Las Palmas during the 2023–24 season, Perrone performed well enough at Como last season to secure a permanent transfer.

"My journey at Manchester City has reached its conclusion, but I want to express gratitude to everyone at the Club for their support and mentorship throughout my valuable period at the CFA," the 22-year-old stated on the club's official website. "I look forward to this new chapter and wish Pep Guardiola and the squad all the best moving forward."

Signs point to Grealish potentially needing to write his own departure message soon. The talented attacker lost favor with Guardiola during the latter stages of the 2024–25 domestic season and was notably absent from the traveling party for the Club World Cup.

While his teammates enjoy an extended rest period after their demanding efforts in the grueling U.S. conditions, Grealish has returned to Manchester for individual training sessions at the club's training ground, as reported by The Telegraph.

West Ham United and Everton have been mentioned as potential destinations for ambitious loan deals involving the well-compensated England international, while speculation has also emerged regarding a possible move to join Kevin De Bruyne at current Serie A titleholders Napoli.

City are believed to be seeking a permanent transfer for Grealish and have allegedly reduced his asking price to £40 million ($53.8 million). Even if the former Premier League champions secure a buyer at this valuation, the transaction would constitute a historic loss compared to the £100 million ($134.5 million) City invested in Grealish four years earlier.